by Dolapo Adelana

One of the domestic staff members of Professor Wole Soyinka has confirmed reports that herdsmen invaded the residence of the Nobel laureate in Ilugun Village, Abeokuta.

The domestic worker, who refused to reveal his name, disclosed this to journalists on Friday at the residence of the playwright, located in a serene forest far away from Ilugun village and Kemta Estate.

He said on Saturday, April 15, 2017, the herdsmen came with their cattle to graze at the frontage of Soyinka’s house.

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He said, “Yes, it is true that the herdsmen have invaded this place (residence) twice. The last time they came was on Saturday, April 15.

“They came directly to graze around the house and we had to chase them away.

“Nobody saw them the first time they came, it was after they had gone that, Prof. (Soyinka) saw the footprints of the cattle and drew our (Domestic staff) attention to that.

“But when they came the second time, they met us and we chased them away and since then, we have not seen them again.”

However, the Ogun Police Command said the case of the invasion of the Nobel laureate’s home had not been reported to them.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said, “I have called the Divisional Police Officer, Kemta Police Station, and he told me there was no such report made at the station.”

Soyinka made the invasion of his residence public on Friday while speaking at the Freedom Park, Lagos.

“We are living in dangerous times. My home is under invasion… From Imeko to Abeokuta is under invasion by herdsmen,” he said.

“This is a deliberate act of provocation. The trespasses have been frequent, we have reported to the police, but government is taking security lightly.

“We need to wake up the government, let them know the seriousness of the issue on ground; these herdsmen are worse than Boko Haram.”