A fifty-year-old farmer, Olaoluwa Olorunfemi, was on Sunday night killed in Ago-Oyinbo, at Ala Forest Reserve,in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, following a fresh attack by people suspected to be herdsmen.
Also, eight other persons were injured in the violent attack on the community.
It was learnt that the herders wreaked havoc on the people, who are mostly farmers, in the middle of the night without any challenge.
The spokesperson for the community, Samuel Olowolafe, who addressed newsmen in Akure, the state capital, on Monday, said the heavily armed herders looted the property of the victims.
He explained that the situation forced many residents to flee their homes for fear of being caught in another attack.
Olowolafe disclosed that the herdsmen resorted to sacking the community after their entreaty to be allowed into the community with their cattle to graze was turned down by the youth and elders in the area.
“They do perpetuate their devil act at midnight, cart away our foods, destroy our farm products and even machete people to the extent that they will land in the hospital,” he said.
According to Olowolafe, this is the second time the herders will attack the agrarian community.
He revealed that the assailants had earlier attacked the community in March, adding that many of the residents had lost loved ones and property worth millions of naira.
Olowolafe asked Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to come to the aid of the community over the incessant attacks on residents.
“So, what happened to us at the weekend was that these Fulani herdsmen wanted to take over our farm land.
“We are calling on the state government and the security agencies to please come to our aid. Our life is in danger at Powerline and Ago-Oyinbo at Ala Forest Reserve,” he added.
Confirming the incident in a statement on Monday night, the Ondo State Police Command spokesperson, SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, said Olorunfemi was killed by armed men numbering about four.
She stated that the deceased was hacked to death with a cutlass, adding that the suspects also went away with Olorunfemi’s mobile phone.
Odunlami-Omisanya said police had already begun investigation and launched a manhunt for the invaders.
“So, the police and family members of the deceased have visited the scene of the incident and his corpse has been evacuated from the scene,” she added.
