Herdsmen kill woman, invade farms in Ondo

Some suspected Fulani herdsmen have allegedly invaded a farmland at Arodoye community, in the Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State, destroying 200 acre farms.

The herdsmen also allegedly killed a female farmer, identified as Patience Salami.

The incident was said to have occurred during the Yuletide holiday when most of the farmers had travelled out of the community.

It was gathered that nobody had been arrested by the security agencies for the incident.

Some of the farmers who spoke to our correspondent on Thursday lamented that they had lost millions, saying the herdsmen destroyed farm produce.

Speaking on behalf of the farmers, Justice Micheal Owoyemi, whose farm was also affected, said some of the farm produce destroyed by the herdsmen included cassava, cocoyams, yams, vegetables, adding that some cocoa farms were set on fire.

He said, “The herdsmen destroyed over 5,000 heads of cassava in my farm. They took the advantage of the Christmas break; they uprooted our cassava to feed their cattle.

“We have reported the herdsmen to the security agents and also to the Deji of Akureland, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo, who promised to intervene.

“The herdsmen are determined to send farmers out of their farms unless steps are taken by concerned authorities. What they destroyed is worth millions of naira.

“Most of these people here depend on the farms produce to cater to their families.”

Owoyemi, who is a serving judge in the Ondo State Judiciary, said the farmers had petitioned the state governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, security agencies and the Ministry of Agriculture to inform them of the havoc wrecked on farms in the area, but nothing had been done.

Another farmer and member of the community, Mr. Victory Oweh, lamented that he lost produce on 10 acres to the destruction by the herdsmen.

“We are just respecting the law of the land and trying not to take the law into our own hands.

“Ondo State Government should follow the steps taken by the Ekiti State Government by enacting laws to curb the activities of herdsmen. We are calling on the state government and security agencies before taking the law into our own hands.”

The Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Police Command, Mr. Femi Joseph said the matter had not been reported to the police.

“A manhunt has been launched for the perpetrators. And I can assure you that they will be arrested and brought to justice soon.

“Our hearts go out to the families who lost their loved ones.

“We share their pains and we will spare no efforts in bringing the perpetrators to face justice.”

He urged anyone with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the hoodlums to provide such to the police.