Fears of Herdsmen Violence Grip Ondo Community
A gruesome murder has struck fear into the hearts of farmers in Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State. On Sunday, Sunday Ayeni, a farmer, was found dead on his farm at Uba Oka Akoko. Ayeni’s body was discovered with machete cuts, a stark reminder of the lawlessness that has plagued the area in recent times.
The incident is all the more disturbing given that it happened just a few days after Ayeni received compensation for his farm, which had been destroyed by herdsmen last week. The community had intervened, resolved the crisis, and the herdsmen had paid an undisclosed sum to Ayeni as compensation. This tragic event has left the community traumatized and demanding action from authorities.
According to sources in the area, Ayeni went to his farm with his dog on Saturday but didn’t return on time. A search party was sent out, and unfortunately, they found his lifeless body in a pool of blood, alongside his dog and cutlass. The attackers brutally stabbed and macheted Ayeni, leaving the community in shock.
"Ayeni’s farm was destroyed last week, but the security agents and elders in the community intervened and resolved the crisis. Who could have thought that just a few days later, he would be brutally murdered on his farm?" a community leader, Mr. Pius Imoru, said, describing the incident as "sad and wicked."
The community is now gripped with fear, with many farmers hesitant to leave their homes to tend to their farms due to the increasing threat of herdsmen violence. "Farmers in Uba Oka Akoko are now scared of going to their farms because of herdsmen attacks. We want the government and the security agencies in the state to look into the security situation of our area," the community leader appealed.
When contacted, Funmilayo Odunlami, the state Police Public Relations Officer, said she was yet to be briefed about the incident. She promised to get back to the reporter as soon as she received information from the DPO of that jurisdiction.
As the community mourns the loss of Ayeni, they await justice and a solution to the problems plaguing their region. In the meantime, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for government and security agencies to prioritize the safety and security of farmers in the affected areas.
