By Omolola Pedro
A 50-year-old farmer, Olaoluwa Olorunfemi, has been killed by armed herdsmen, following the invasion of Ago-Oyinbo community at the Ala Forest Reserve in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State while eight other persons in the community sustained injuries in the violent attack. The herders wreaked havoc on the people, who are mostly farmers, in the middle of the night without any challenge. Addressing newsmen at Akure, the state capital, the community spokesperson, Samuel Olowolafe, said the heavily-armed herders also looted property of victims.
He explained that the situation had left many residents with no choice, but to flee their homes for fear of being caught up in another attack. “The herdsmen resorted to sacking the community after their entreaty to be allowed into the community with their cattle to graze was turned down by the youth and elders of the area. They do perpetuate their devil acts at midnight, cart away our foods, destroy our farm products and even machete people to the extent that they will land in the hospital”, he added. Olowolafe noted that it was the second time the herders launched an attack on the agrarian community. He revealed that the community had earlier been attacked by the assailants in March, adding that many of the residents had lost their loved ones and property worth millions.
Olowolafe urged the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) to, as a matter of urgency, come to the aid of the community over fresh attacks on the residents. “So, what happened to us at the weekend was that these Fulani herdsmen wanted to take over our farmland. We are calling on the state government and security agencies to, please, come to our aid. Our life is in danger at Powerline and Ago-Oyinbo at Ala Forest Reserve”, he added. The Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, while confirming the incident in a statement said, Olorunfemi was killed by armed men numbering about four.
Odunlami-Omisanya, in the statement, also stated that the deceased was hacked to death with a cutlass. She added that the police had already commenced their investigations and launched a manhunt for the invaders. She said the suspects also escaped with the mobile phone of the deceased. “So, the police and family members of the deceased have visited the scene of the incident and his corpse has been evacuated from the scene”, the PPRO added.
