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Angry farmers stormed the streets of Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Tuesday to protest the killing of four farmers by gunmen believed to be herders.
The bodies of the victims were dumped on streets near the Governor’s office by the protesters in a show of sadness.
The farmers were reportedly killed early Tuesday morning at the Thirteen-Thirteen farming settlement in the Ajagbusi area of Ala Elefosan, Akure North Local Government Area.
In the past three months, more than 17 farmers have been killed in the area.
Last month, five farmers were murdered at the ‘Aba Oyinbo’ farm settlement.
The protest caused major traffic disruptions, with protesters blocking the roundabout leading to Oda road and the Governor’s office, leaving many motorists stranded.
Olu Taiwo Samuel, Head of Adeshina Community, expressed frustration over the ongoing violence, stating that the community had grown tired of the daily killings and attacks on farmers by herders.
Taiwo said, “Three farmers were killed in the Thirteen Thirteen camp in the Ajagbusi area of Ala Elefosan in Akure North Local Council. They were on their way to the farm this morning (Tuesday) when the Fulani herdsmen attacked them and shot them. One person was also killed two days ago.
“We purposely brought their bodies to Alagbaka for everyone to see what we are facing and to prevent any form of denial, which we have experienced in the past.
“The killing of our people by these herdsmen is becoming too much. Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa promised us that the place will be fully secured after the last incident. With this latest development, the government must allow us to secure ourselves.
“It is disheartening that the government will continue to allow these killings to be going on. What we are certain about is that if we should defend ourselves and kill the attackers, we will be arrested and taken to Abuja.
“During the late former governor’s administration, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, this kind of thing was not rampant, but with the current governor, everything has gone awry. We are tired of these continuous killings; we can no longer sleep in our communities.
“Mr Governor should help us and stop these killings. People that are being killed are humans, not goats. More than 20 farmers have been killed in the past month.”
Ondo Police spokesman, Alayande Olayinka, said tactical teams have been deployed to the area to restore normalcy and ensure the perpetrators were arrested.
