Hundreds of aggrieved farmers and youths from Ajagbusi community in the Igbatoro area of Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State staged a protest on Tuesday, blocking the State Secretariat road in Alagbaka, Akure, over the killing of three farmers by suspected herdsmen.
The demonstrators, who brought the lifeless bodies of the victims to the front of the governor’s office, accused the state government of indifference to their plight and the repeated attacks on their community. They obstructed traffic and demanded urgent action, lamenting that no fewer than 20 farmers had been killed in similar incidents over the past two months.
According to the protesters, the victims were ambushed and shot dead on Tuesday morning while riding their motorcycle to the farm. The attackers reportedly fled the scene after the assault.
The traditional ruler of Adeshina Community, Taiwo Samuel, who joined the protest, described the incident as another tragic addition to a growing list of attacks. He said the killings occurred around the 13/13 area of the Ajagbusi farm settlement in the Ala Elefosan axis of Akure North.
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“Three farmers were killed this morning on their way to the farm by Fulani herdsmen,” he said. “We brought their bodies here for everyone to see and to avoid any denial from the authorities, which we’ve encountered before.”
He criticised the government’s failure to halt the repeated attacks, saying, “Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa assured us of improved security after the last attack, but nothing has changed. We are pleading with the government to let us defend ourselves if they can’t protect us.”
Samuel further compared the situation under the current administration with that of late former governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, stating that such incidents were not as prevalent during his tenure. “Now we live in fear. We cannot sleep peacefully. These are human lives being lost, not animals.”
In response to the killings, Ondo State Police Command spokesman, Alayande Olayinka, confirmed that tactical teams have been deployed to the area to restore order and apprehend the assailants.
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