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Tuesday, April 8, was a very sad and angry day in Ondo State. Farmers from different communities came out to protest after four of their fellow farmers were killed by some men suspected to be herdsmen.
The protesting farmers carried the bodies of the four people and dropped them on the road near the office of the Ondo State Governor in Alagbaka, Akure. Many of them were crying and shouting, saying they were tired of the killings and that the government was doing nothing.
These farmers said the four victims were killed that same morning, while they were on their way to their farms. The attack happened at Thirteen-Thirteen farming settlement in Ajagbusi area of Ala Elefosan, which is in Akure North Local Government Area.
According to them, this is not the first time something like this is happening. In fact, they said that in the last three months alone, about 17 other farmers have been killed in similar attacks by people they believe are armed herdsmen.
The protest caused a serious traffic jam. Many cars and buses could not move because the farmers blocked the roundabout that leads to Oda road and the governor’s office.
One of the community leaders, Mr Olu Samuel, who is the head of Adeshina Community, spoke to reporters during the protest. He said the people were fed up and could not take it anymore.
“Three farmers were killed this morning in Thirteen-Thirteen camp. They were just going to their farm when they were attacked and shot by Fulani herdsmen. Another one was killed two days ago. That makes it four in just a short time,” Mr Samuel said sadly.
He added, “We brought their dead bodies to Alagbaka so that everyone will see what we are going through. In the past, people used to deny that it happened. But today, nobody can deny it. These are our people, and they have been killed for no reason.”
Mr Samuel also begged the current governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to help stop the killings. He said life is now very hard for farmers in Ondo because they are scared to go to their farms.
“It is very painful that these things are happening, and the government is not doing much about it. If we try to protect ourselves and something happens to the attackers, we will be arrested and taken to Abuja. But when we are being killed, nothing is done,” he said with tears in his eyes.
He also said that things were better during the time of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. According to him, these attacks were not common then. But now, farmers live in fear and cannot even sleep well in their villages.
“Mr Governor, we are begging you, please help us. We are tired. We cannot continue like this. The people being killed are not animals. They are human beings. We are losing our loved ones. More than 20 farmers have been killed in one month,” he added.
The protest ended peacefully, but the pain in the hearts of the farmers was clear. Many of them said they will not return to their farms until something is done.
As at the time of writing this report, there has been no official statement from the Ondo State Government about the killings or the protest.
