Sam Philip
Farmers and youths from 13-13 village at Ajagbusi along Igbatoro Road in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State on Tuesday morning stormed the state capital, Akure protesting the killing of another three farmers by armed herdsmen.
The farmers were said to have been killed in the early hours of Tuesday on their way to their farms.
The protesters barricaded roads leading to the Governor’s Office at Alagbaka, Akure for several hours.
They barricaded the roads at the roundabout leading to the Governor’s Office with the bodies of farmers who were killed, causing gridlock for hours.
The traditional head of Adesina Community, Taiwo Samuel lamented the failure of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to stop the incessant attacks and killings of farmers in various farmsteads in the local government area.
He said: “Three farmers were killed in the Thirteen Thirteen camp in the Ajagbusi area of Ala Elefosan in Akure North Local Council.
“They were on their way to the farm this morning (Tuesday) when the Fulani herdsmen attacked them and shot them dead. One person was also killed two days ago.
“We purposely brought their bodies to Alagbaka for everyone to see what we are facing and to prevent any form of denial, which we have experienced in the past.
“The killing of our people by these herdsmen is becoming too much. Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa promised us that the place will be fully secured after the last incident. With this latest development, the government must allow us to secure ourselves.
“It is disheartening that the government will continue to allow these killings to be going on. What we are certain about is that if we should defend ourselves and kill the attackers, we will be arrested and taken to Abuja.
“During the late former governor’s administration, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, this kind of thing was not rampant, but with the current governor, everything has gone awry. We are tired of these continuous killings; we can no longer sleep in our communities.
“Mr Governor should help us and stop these killings. People that are being killed are humans, not goats. More than 20 farmers have been killed in the past month.”