Fear and frustration gripped Akure, the capital of Ondo State, on Wednesday as farmers staged a massive protest over the alleged killing of five individuals by suspected herdsmen in Aba Oyinbo, a community in Akure North Local Government Area.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the attackers launched their assault in the early hours of the morning, shooting indiscriminately at unsuspecting residents before disappearing into nearby forests.
This tragic incident comes on the heels of a similar wave of violence that claimed no fewer than 14 lives just two weeks ago in four other communities—Ademekun, Aba Pastor, Aba Sunday, and Alajido—within the same local government. The frequency of these attacks has heightened fears among rural dwellers, particularly farmers who say they are now unable to tend to their crops without fear of being killed.
Enraged by the recurring bloodshed, a large crowd of farmers stormed the Ondo State Governor’s Office, chanting solidarity songs and calling on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to take decisive action. One of the demonstrators, who identified himself as Jonah, decried the increasing violence, claiming that armed assailants were infiltrating Ondo State through neighboring Edo.
“Our communities are under siege, and innocent farmers are being slaughtered while the authorities remain silent. We are not criminals; we are hardworking people trying to earn a living. We urge the governor, security agencies, and Amotekun to intervene before more lives are lost,” he pleaded.
The escalating violence in Ondo mirrors similar tragedies unfolding in other parts of the country. In Benue State, suspected herdsmen recently raided a rural settlement, leaving several people dead and forcing residents to flee. A similar situation is playing out in Enugu State, where fresh attacks have resulted in killing of final year student, raising further concerns over worsening insecurity.
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As tensions flared in Akure, security personnel were swiftly deployed to the protest grounds to prevent possible chaos. However, with no concrete assurances of safety, rural communities remain on edge, fearing that unless swift action is taken, more blood may yet be shed.
