Olusegun Ariyo
Protesters on Tuesday stormed the Akure metropolis, Ondo State capital over the killing of a fresh set of farmers in one of the farming settlements in Akure North Local Government Area by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen.
The farmers were reportedly killed in 13/13 farming settlements in the Ajagbusi area of Ala Elefosan in Akure North Local Council in the early hours of Tuesday while on their way to the farm.
The protesters berated the attitude of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa over the insecurity situation in the state.
The youths of the community and colleagues of the farmers who were angered over the incessant killings, in their numbers, brought the remains of the slain farmers to the state secretariat in Alagbaka, the state capital.
The latest killing is coming a few weeks after five farmers were killed at ‘Aba Oyinbo’, Akure North Local Council Area of the state, which was also followed with a heavy protest at %the Governor’s Office along with the display of the corpses.
The protesters emphasised that during the administration of the former governor of the state, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, it was not as terrible as the current situation.
The protesters, in their numbers, shut down and barricaded the roundabout intersection that led to the Governor’s Office and the federal secretariat, leaving commuters and motorists stranded.
Stern-looking security personnel were equally mobilised to the scene of the protest, after which the protesters were dispersed.
While lamenting the inability of the government to put a stop to the incessant attacks and killings, the traditional ruler of Adeshina Community, Taiwo Samuel, described the incident as one too many.
“Three farmers were killed in the 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. 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 would be fully secured after the last incident. With this latest development, the government must allow us to secure ourselves.
“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.”
