How suspected Fulani herdsmen killed five farmers in Ondo

Tension has escalated in the Ajegunle-Powerline community in Akure North Local Government Area, Ondo State, after Fulani herdsmen carried out an attack, killing five farmers.

The victims, laborers working on the farmlands, were reported to have come from Plateau and Kaduna States. 

The assault occurred on Tuesday around 3 p.m., when the herders entered the farmland and began shooting indiscriminately. 

A local farmer, Akin Olowolafe, stated that the herdsmen have regularly caused disruptions in the area by damaging crops. Despite reporting these incidents to the authorities, no meaningful actions have been taken to address the situation.

Olowolafe explained, “The herders came to our farms on Tuesday, firing their weapons into the air and killing five of our workers. This is not the first time they’ve been terrorizing us, but the government has not taken any significant steps to stop them.”

He went on to describe how the increase in these attacks, along with ongoing robberies, has forced many farmers to abandon their farmlands out of fear. 

The herdsmen’s cattle have also been destroying crops, further threatening the livelihoods of the community.

The farmer also expressed concern for the safety of women in the area, noting that herders have sometimes resorted to violence against them. 

Olowolafe appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and security agencies to take immediate action to protect the community from these persistent attacks.

Fidelis Daniel, another laborer who was present at the time of the attack, recounted his frightening experience. “We had warned the herders not to come back to our farms. 

But on Tuesday, they came with weapons, destroyed our crops, and killed five of our workers. Three of them were from Plateau State, and two were from Kaduna State.”

Daniel, who managed to escape unharmed, added, “I was in the field when the gunshots rang out. I ran to safety, and I’m thankful to have survived.”

The bodies of the victims were later taken to the morgue at the State University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital in Akure by local hunters and vigilantes.

The Ondo State Police spokesperson, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, confirmed the attack but stated that investigations are ongoing and declined to confirm the exact number of casualties.

The community is calling on the police, Amotekun Corps, and other security forces to intervene and bring an end to the violence that has been plaguing the area.