Again, gunmen kill farmer in Ondo, police arrest suspect

The Ondo State Police Command on Wednesday reported that it had arrested one person in connection with the alleged killing of a farmer, Joshua Gbadamosi, at Ifira Akoko in Akoko South-East Local Government Area of the state.

The death of the 18-year-old farmer on Tuesday occurred five days after another farmer, Sunday Ayeni, was allegedly killed on his farm by armed men suspected to be herdsmen.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the incident, stating that the suspect, a 15-year-old, was still in custody while the investigation was ongoing.

She said, “Yes, the incident occurred, and we have arrested one Adamu Farouk, aged 15. An investigation has commenced.”

It was reported that Gbadamosi’s lifeless body was found on his farm at Ogudu Farm Settlement in the council area, with machete cuts visible on parts of his body.

A source from the community stated, “Gbadamosi’s body was later recovered by the police at Isua Akoko and transferred to the morgue at Ipe Akoko General Hospital.”

In response, the monarch of Ogbagi Akoko, Oba Victor Adetona, who is also the chairman of the Akoko Divisional Council of Obas, described the killing as callous, wicked, and unacceptable. He lamented that the unchecked activities of the herdsmen are driving farmers away from their farms.

The monarch urged the government and security agencies to intensify their efforts to restore peace and security in Akoko, warning that “the continued neglect of the situation could have dire consequences for the community and beyond.”

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