Ondo women protest farmer’s killing

Following the killing of a farmer, Mr Sunday Ayeni, in Uba-Oka Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State last week, women in the community staged a peaceful protest on Tuesday to condemn the incident and draw the state government’s attention to the growing insecurity in the area.

The deceased’s lifeless body was found on his farm, bearing machete wounds and with his intestines exposed, indicating that he was brutally stabbed to death by his attackers.

The incident occurred just a few days after the late farmer received compensation for his farm, which had been destroyed by cows allegedly belonging to herdsmen in the area.

According to a local source, Ayeni’s farm was destroyed by herdsmen last week. However, the situation was initially resolved by security agents and community elders, who intervened and facilitated the payment of an undisclosed amount as compensation to Ayeni by the herdsmen.

During the protest, the women, who were half-naked and without head ties, marched to the palace of the Oka Akoko monarch, Oba Adebori Adeleye, chanting various solidarity songs.

They alleged that suspected herdsmen had raped some of their women on their farmlands and vandalised their crops.

Speaking on behalf of the protesting women, Mrs Abigail Ojo narrated their ordeal, stating that they had practically abandoned their farms due to insecurity in the area.

She called on security agencies to be more proactive in safeguarding the lives of the farmers.

She said, “We call on security agencies to help find lasting solutions to our problems. We are protesting to let the government know our plight.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmilayo Odunlami, stated that an investigation was already ongoing.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: [email protected]