Chaos As Protesting Farmers Dump Bodies of Colleagues Killed by Suspected Herders Near Governor’s Office
Residents of State capital, woke up to scenes of anger and grief on as farmers from various settlements in the state staged a protest in Akure, the Ondo State over the killing of four of their colleagues by suspected herders.
The protest, which took place near the Governor’s Office in Alagbaka, saw the farmers dump the corpses of the slain individuals at the entrance to the government building in a bid to draw urgent attention to the escalating attacks in their communities.
The victims were reportedly killed in the early hours of Tuesday at the Thirteen-Thirteen farming settlement in Ajagbusi, located within Ala Elefosan in Akure North Local Government Area. Eyewitnesses said the farmers were on their way to their farms when they were ambushed and shot by armed men believed to be herders.
The tragic incident sparked outrage among farmers and residents of the area, many of whom have lost friends, family members, and livelihoods to similar attacks in recent months. Protesters blocked key roads, including the roundabout leading to Oda Road, causing major traffic disruptions and leaving motorists stranded for hours.
“We brought the bodies here so no one can deny what is happening to us anymore,” said Olu Samuel, Head of the Adeshina Community, during the protest. “Three of our men were murdered this morning. Another was killed two days ago. How many more must die before the government acts?”
According to the protesters, no fewer than 17 farmers have been killed in similar attacks in Ondo State within the past three months, and the number may be even higher in remote areas where reports often go undocumented.
The protest also served as a direct appeal to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who the farmers accused of doing little to address the worsening insecurity in the state's agricultural zones. They lamented the deterioration of security since the passing of former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, under whose tenure they said such attacks were less frequent.
“We are tired. We can’t farm, we can’t sleep in our homes. We are not safe in our land,” Samuel continued. “If we defend ourselves, they call us criminals and take us to Abuja. But who protects us when we are being slaughtered like animals?”
The protest drew sympathy from many passersby, while security personnel were deployed to maintain order and prevent a breakdown of law and order around the Government House premises.
As of press time, there has been no official statement from the Ondo State Government regarding the killings or the protest, though sources say the Governor is holding an emergency meeting with top security officials.
With tensions rising and the farming community demanding immediate intervention, many in the state are calling on the federal and state governments to urgently deploy solutions to end the violence and protect rural dwellers from further bloodshed.
The farmers vowed to continue their agitation until concrete actions are taken to secure their lives and farmlands.