Sam Philip
The Ondo State Governor’s Office at Alagbaka, Akure was on Wednesday shut by protesters over the killing of another five farmers by armed herdsmen.
Five farmers were shot dead by armed herdsmen in another invasion at Aba Oyinbo, Akure North Local Government Area of the state.
The protesters were infuriated by what they described as seemingly lackadaisical attitude of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to the incessant killing of farmers in the state by the armed herdsmen in the last two months.
They stormed the Governor’s Office and displayed bodies of the casualties of invasion.
According to the protesters, the farmers were killed early hours of Wednesday by the armed herdsmen who had about a fortnight ago killed 20 farmers in four farm settlements in the same local government.
Commuters and motorists on Akure/Owo Road were stranded for several hours as there’s mass protest in Ogbese where the protesters barricaded the road in protest if the ongoing killings in the state.
Narrating their ordeals, the Regent of Ademekun Camp, Princess Adelowo Kemisola told the Deputy Governor, Dr. Adelami Olayide, who attended to the protesters, that the herdsmen are killing the people everyday.
She declared vote of no confidence on the Divisional Police Officer of Ala Police Division, complaining that each time they lodged complaint, he failed to take action.
The Regent and all the protesters demanded immediate removal of the DPO.
Responding, the Deputy Governor commiserated with the families of the victims, the Regent and the people of the affected communities.
He said: “I have listened to your plight and how armed Fulani herdsmen have been invading your communities killing farmers.
“The Regent and three people have spoken on this incident and I want to sympathize with you and the families of the casualties.
“Ondo State had been the most peaceful state in the country, but they want to change the story for us. They are attacking us in all the three senatorial districts of the state.
“Governor held meeting with security chiefs in the state where he discussed the issues surrounding out security in the state.
“We are going to respond appropriately to ensure security of life and property of our people.
“We will meet 10 representatives of the communities which you are going to select among you right now.
“Amotekun Corps post will be established in the communities today.
There will be collaboration among all security agencies.”