Suspected herders hack Ogun rice farmer to death

A rice farmer identified as Taiwo Paul has been murdered by some suspected herders in the Kata Area of Ewekoro Local Government of Ogun State.

PUNCH Metro further gathered that while Paul was allegedly hacked to death by the suspects at his rice plantation in the community, another farmer identified as Peter Danjuma died of electrocution in the Isoyin area of Atan-Ijebu.

The state Police Command confirmed the two deaths in separate telephone conversations with PUNCH Metro on Saturday.

Our correspondent gathered that 26-year-old Paul was found battling for his life in a pool of blood on Thursday after he was allegedly attacked by the suspects.

The spokesperson for the command, Omolola Odutola, told our correspondent that the rice farmer had left his house at Yobo Village to check the crops owing to suspicions of some herders who they suspected had been roaming the area in the past.

When Paul did not return home on time, our correspondent learnt that his twin brother, Kehinde, went to the rice farm to look for him.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Kehinde heard a faint groan from a distance and discovered his twin brother dying in a pool of his blood, bleeding uncontrollably from severe cuts on his hands and right leg.

PUNCH Metro further gathered that all efforts by the deceased’s brother and other villagers to rush Paul to the General Hospital in Ifo failed, as the victim reportedly died on the way.

Odutola further stated that a doctor on duty at the hospital confirmed Paul’s death on arrival.

She noted that a preliminary investigation had begun to apprehend the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

She said, “Detectives from Ewekoro Police Division have visited the crime scene and the hospital for assessment, and photographs have been taken. The deceased’s body was later released to the family for burial.

“Preliminary investigations are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators, and the case will be transferred to the State Crime Investigation Department at Eleweran for further discreet investigation.”

Meanwhile, another farmer in the Isoyin area, identified simply as Danjuma, was electrocuted to death on Friday morning while feeding birds at a poultry farm.

PUNCH Metro also learnt that he was rushed to the General Hospital in Ijebu-Ode, where a doctor on duty confirmed him dead.

“The detectives of the Atan-Ijebu Police Division have visited the scene of the incident, and photographs were taken.”