Herdsmen crisis: Farmer killed days after compensation in Ondo

A farmer identified as Sunday Ayeni has been killed on his farm located at Uba Oka Akoko in Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State on Sunday.

It was gathered that the lifeless body of the deceased was found on the farm with machete cuts on his body.

The incident came a few days after the late farmer received compensation for his farm that was destroyed by cows of some herdsmen in the area.

A source who resides in the area disclosed that Ayeni’s farm was destroyed by herdsmen last week but the security agents and elders in the community intervened and resolved the crisis between him and the herdsmen who destroyed the farm.

Thereafter, the latter was made to pay an undisclosed amount to the late farmer as compensation.

The source said, “The late farmer went to the farm with his dog as usual yesterday (Saturday) but he did not come on time. So this led to a search party who discovered his lifeless body in a pool of blood with his dog and cutlass beside him. He was stabbed and macheted by the assailants.”

Also, a community leader in the area, Mr. Pius Imoru, described the incident as sad and wicked, saying the entire community has been mourning the deceased. He called on the security agencies to fish out the perpetrators.

“Farmers in Uba Oka Akoko are now scared of going to their farms because of herdsmen attacks. We want the government and the security agencies in the state to look into the security situation of our area,” the community leader appealed.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Funmilayo Odunlami said she was yet to be briefed about the incident as at the time of filing this report.

“I will get back to you as soon as I get the information about the incident from the DPO of that jurisdiction,” the PPRO said.

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