Five killed in Ondo suspected herders’ attack

Suspected armed Fulani herders invaded the Ajegunle-Powerline community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State on Wednesday evening, killing five people.

The herders, who were said to have stormed the farms, carried out the attack in a flash, shooting sporadically and killing five laborers working on the farm.

The attackers reportedly fled into the forest immediately after committing the heinous act, leaving the victims’ bodies riddled with bullets.

The five victims, who worked as laborers on the farm, were from Plateau and Kaduna States and had been in the community for some time.

Speaking on the incident, a farmer who witnessed the attack, Akin Olowolafe, said the suspected herders invaded the farm around 3 p.m. and killed the five men.

“This is not the first time the herders have invaded our farms; it has become a regular occurrence, and we always resist them because they destroy our crops,” he said.

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“We have reported these incidents to the state government and security agencies, but no concrete action has been taken to curb their incessant invasions until they struck again yesterday.

“The Fulani herdsmen just entered the farmlands and started shooting sporadically, forcing people to flee. We tried to escape, but five people were shot dead during the attack.”

According to Olowolafe, aside from attacking the farms, the armed men also invade homes daily, stealing valuables. “We have reported this to the appropriate authorities, but their activities remain unchecked,” he lamented.

He disclosed that many farmers had fled the community and abandoned their farms for fear of being attacked and killed. “Our farms have been destroyed, and our villages deserted,” he added.

Olowolafe explained that the agrarian community depends on their crops for survival, but their source of livelihood is being destroyed daily by cattle that invade their farmlands.

He also condemned the confrontational attitude of the herders whenever the community complains about the destruction, saying the Fulani herders often attack, kill, or rape female farmers.

Olowolafe, however, called on the state government, under the leadership of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and security agencies to intervene and protect them from the constant attacks by Fulani herdsmen.

One of the laborers who escaped, Fidelis Daniel, said, “The Fulani herdsmen came around 3 p.m., shooting sporadically and killing five of our people.

“I was inside the farm when the incident happened. I suddenly heard gunshots and immediately ran to the house. It was God who saved me; otherwise, they would have killed me too.”

He called on the state police command, the Amotekun Corps, and other security agencies to come to the aid of the community and put an end to the continued invasions and killings in the area.

He also noted that the new planting season would soon commence, and farmers should be allowed to cultivate their land to ensure food security in the state.

He disclosed that the remains of the five victims had been deposited at the morgue of the state hospital in Akure.

Confirming the incident, the Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Funmilayo Odunlami, said, “There was an attack on the community, and the police are still investigating. However, I cannot confirm the number of people killed.”

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