The tranquil communities of Akoko in Ondo State have been shaken by a spate of brutal killings, allegedly carried out by suspected herdsmen.
The latest incidents have left the residents of Uba-Oka and Ifira Akoko in deep mourning, as they grapple with the deaths of two farmers within a week.
On Tuesday, 18-year-old Joshua Gbolahan, a young farmer from Ifira Akoko in Akoko South-East Local Government Area, was found dead on his farm. His body, bearing the horrific signs of a machete attack, was discovered by local residents and later retrieved by the police.
Gbolahan’s tragic death follows the murder of 36-year-old Sunday Ayeni, a farmer from the nearby community of Uba-Oka in Akoko South-West Local Government Area, who was killed in a similarly brutal manner on his farm just days earlier.
The deaths of Gbolahan and Ayeni have sent shockwaves through the region, with farmers and residents expressing deep fear and frustration over the persistent threat of herdsmen attacks.
The killings have sparked widespread anger and grief, prompting a peaceful protest by aggrieved women in Uba-Oka Akoko.
The women, who were half-naked and without head ties, marched to the palace of Oba Adebori Adeleye, the traditional ruler of Oka Akoko, to voice their concerns and call for urgent government intervention.
During the protest, the women chanted solidarity songs and held placards bearing messages that condemned the incessant killings and destruction of their farmlands by suspected herdsmen.
The protesters also accused the herdsmen of raping women on their farms and destroying their crops, actions that have forced many farmers to abandon their livelihoods out of fear for their safety.
Abigail Ojo, who spoke on behalf of the protesting women, described the dire situation faced by the community.
“We have practically abandoned our farms due to fear of being attacked by the herdsmen. We call on security agencies to help find lasting solutions to our problems. We are protesting to let the government know our plight,” Ojo said.
The recent murders have exacerbated existing tensions between local farmers and herdsmen in the area, which have been simmering for years. The situation in Uba-Oka became particularly volatile after Ayeni’s farm was destroyed by cows allegedly belonging to herdsmen.
Although the matter was initially resolved by security agents and community elders, who facilitated a monetary compensation for Ayeni, the peace was short-lived.
Just days after receiving the compensation, Ayeni was brutally attacked and killed on his farm, with his body found mutilated and his intestines exposed.
In response to the killings, the Ondo State Police Command has launched an investigation into the incidents. The Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, confirmed that police personnel had been deployed to the affected areas and that a suspect had already been arrested in connection with Gbolahan’s death. Odunlami-Omisanya expressed hope that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes would soon be apprehended and brought to justice.
The escalating violence has also prompted emergency meetings among traditional rulers and community leaders in the Akoko region. The Owa of Ogbagi Akoko, Oba Victor Adetona Olasehinde, who chairs the Akoko Divisional Council of Obas, has condemned the killings in the strongest terms.
Describing the acts as “callous, wicked, and unacceptable,” Oba Adetona lamented the unchecked activities of the herdsmen, which he said are driving farmers away from their fields and threatening the region’s status as a critical food basket for Ondo State.
“The continued neglect of this situation could have dire consequences not only for our community but for the entire state,” Oba Adetona warned, calling on the government and security agencies to intensify their efforts to restore peace and security in the area.
The crisis in Akoko is part of a broader pattern of violence linked to herdsmen in various parts of Nigeria. These attacks, which often result in loss of lives and destruction of property, have sparked widespread concern across the country.
In many cases, the violence stems from disputes over land and grazing rights between herders and local farming communities. Despite various efforts by the government to address these issues, including the implementation of grazing laws and the establishment of ranching programs, the conflict persists, with devastating consequences for affected communities.