Tension has risen in the Ajegunle-Powerline community, located in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, after Fulani herdsmen attacked the area, resulting in the deaths of at least five farmers.
The victims, who were laborers working on the farmlands, were reportedly from Plateau and Kaduna States.
The attack occurred on Tuesday around 3 p.m., as the herdsmen entered the farmland and began shooting indiscriminately.
According to Akin Olowolafe, a local farmer, the assailants were known for disturbing the community and destroying crops, an issue that had been reported to state authorities and security agencies without any meaningful intervention.
Olowolafe explained, “The herdsmen came on Tuesday as we were working on the farm. They shot into the air, killing five of our workers. This has been their usual method of terrorizing us, and despite our reports, no action has been taken to stop their activities.”
He added that the growing frequency of attacks, combined with daily armed robberies, had made life unbearable for the farmers, many of whom had abandoned their farms in fear of further violence. The herdsmen often let their cattle destroy crops, further jeopardizing the community’s livelihood.
The farmer also expressed concern over the escalating hostility, noting that herdsmen sometimes assault women on the farms. He urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and security agencies to intervene and protect the community from these continuous attacks.
Another laborer, Fidelis Daniel, who was present during the attack, recounted his terrifying experience.
He said, “We had warned the herdsmen not to come back to our farmlands, but on Tuesday, they arrived with weapons, destroyed our crops, and killed five of our workers. Three were from Plateau State, and two were from Kaduna State.”
Daniel, who narrowly escaped the attack, continued, “I heard gunshots while I was in the field. I ran to safety, but it was only by God’s grace that I was not killed.”
Local hunters and vigilantes later transported the bodies of the victims to the morgue at the State University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital in Akure.
The police spokesperson for Ondo State, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, confirmed the attack, stating, “The police are investigating the incident. However, I cannot confirm the exact number of casualties at this time.”
The community has called on security agencies, including the Amotekun Corps and the state police, to take decisive action to end the violence and restore peace to the area.
(Prompt news)