Gunmen kill 20 in Ondo attack

No fewer than 20 people have been confirmed dead in four communities in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State after armed men, suspected to be bandits, invaded the area in the early hours of Saturday.

The assailants attacked Aba Alajido, Aba Sunday, Aba Pastor, and Ademekun communities, killing and injuring several residents.

According to sources, many farmers and other villagers were killed in the midnight raid, while some managed to escape with injuries.

A police source confirmed the attack on Monday, stating that officers from the state police command had been deployed to the affected areas.

“The report reached the command on Saturday, and our men were immediately deployed. As of now, 14 bodies have been recovered from the villages,” the officer said.

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However, a resident of one of the attacked communities, identified as Sunday, claimed that over 40 people were killed in the assault.

He said, “Many residents have fled, leaving the communities deserted. The attack started last Monday, but the most devastating occurred on Friday night, with no security intervention to stop the armed men.

“They stormed our communities while people were asleep, opening fire on anyone in sight. Many escaped into the bush, but the unlucky ones were killed. I am certain that over 40 people have died, while many others sustained injuries.

“On Sunday, security personnel arrived and recovered some corpses, but many are still missing. If they search further, more bodies will be found in the bush.”

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mrs. Funmilayo Odunlami, said an investigation was underway, and officers had been deployed to restore order.

“The attack on Aba Pastor community was reported on Saturday, and the command immediately took action to restore normalcy and apprehend the perpetrators,” she said.

Also reacting to the attack, the Regent of Ademekun Community, Princess Adekemisola Adelowo, condemned the killings, revealing that the affected agrarian communities had been struggling with herdsmen-related violence for the past six years.

“At least 14 people were killed last weekend by herdsmen who infiltrated my community and opened fire indiscriminately,” she said.

Speaking at a town hall meeting with cocoa farmers in Akure, she added, “These attackers came through the Edo-Ondo boundary. We were once rescued by Amotekun during the Akeredolu administration, and peace was restored after the perpetrators were arrested and paraded.

“We now call on the state government and security agencies to intervene and protect our people.”