Amid confusion over attacks on the residence of Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, by suspected herdsmen on Tuesday afternoon, the Southern, Middle Belt Forum has described the attack as bizarre.

A video that claimed an attack on the residence of Soyinka began to trend on social media early Wednesday. Although the Nobel Laureate is yet to speak on the attack, another message purportedly issued by one of Soyinka’s children, Dr Olaokun Soyinka, which was also circulated in the social media, claimed that there was no attack.

According to the statement, “cows only strayed into the land; there was no attack, no violence and no attempt to enter the house.”

However, the SMBF in a statement signed by Yinka Odumakin for the South West;

Chief Guy Ikokwu,  South East; Senator  Bassey  Henshaw, South South; and  Dr Isuwa Dogo for the Middle Belt, said herdsmen stormed  the residence of the Nobel Laureate  in Abeokuta  around 1 pm on Tuesday and caused serious scare before the Professor called in the police.

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The statement said that this happened hours after Soyinka had warned  that the activities of Fulani herdsmen could lead to a civil war and urged president Buhari to denounce them clearly to show he is President of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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“ It is a painful development that herders will not even give a scant regard to a man of Soyinka stature in their madness let loose on Nigeria with no authority to call them to order.

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“If there are people still living in denial about the intention of these criminals and those shielding them, there is no further  evidence than this.

“We do not know what they have that they are playing this roulette but we are sure when a blind man says we have to settle this stoning ourselves, it is either he is stepping on  or clutching one.

“We also want to warn them of the implications of hurting a man like Soyinka with the fragile unity of the country. Let President Buhari know that these criminals  are working hard to make him the last President of One Nigeria,” the statement added.