Suspected herdsmen attack Ondo community, injure eight

According to Peoples Gazette, suspected herdsmen have once more attacked the citizens of Ago-Oyinbo in the Ala forest reserve in the Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo.

On Monday, it was reported that eight locals, largely farmers, had been hurt by the herders who had arrived in huge numbers. 

Samuel Olowolafe, a representative for the neighbourhood, told The Gazette that the marauders, who arrived in the middle of the night, attacked the populace with no resistance. 

According to Mr. Olowolafe, the herders who arrived prepared for the fight robbed their homes, including their food supplies. He also claimed that the suspects had been plotting to annex the nearby settlements. 

 â€œThey (herders) came with their guns and other dangerous weapons to attack us at midnight and carted away our properties like phones, foodstuffs among others. And at least eight people are currently injured and nursing wounds as I speak. 

“They perpetuate their devil act in the midnight, carting away our foods, destroying our farm products, and even machete people to the extent that they would land in the hospital,” he said in a brief telephone chat with our reporter. 

According to The Gazette, this would be the herders' second attempt to attack the agrarian settlement. 

Due to the local farmers' refusal to let their cattle graze on their farmlands, suspected herders attacked them in March. 

Many of the locals were forced to leave the area for neighboring towns and villages as a result of the situation. 

Further, Mr. Olowolafe claimed that the herders had repeatedly attacked the community, usually disguising themselves as their livestock when they entered there. 

He disclosed that many of the locals had suffered tragic losses due to the barbaric invasion attacks on their families and valuable property.

In particular, he urged the governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, to act quickly to protect the locals from recent atrocities. 

 â€œSo, what really happened to us at the weekend was that these Fulani herdsmen wanted to take over our farmland. 

“And 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,” Mr Olowolafe added. 

The Gazette also learned that the injured Akure people are currently being treated at a private hospital there.

The Ondo State Police Command spokeswoman, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, promised to contact our reporter with a response when reached.

Source