Angry protesters have stormed the Governor’s Office at Alagbaka, Akure, the capital of Ondo State, to demand justice over the recent killings of five farmers by suspected armed herdsmen. The killings took place in the early hours of Wednesday at Aba Oyinbo, a community in the Akure North Local Government Area. This attack follows a similar violent incident just two weeks ago in which 20 farmers were killed in four different farm settlements within the same local government.
The protesters, furious over the state government’s failure to address the increasing wave of attacks, displayed the bodies of the victims at the Governor’s Office, hoping to draw attention to the dangerous security situation in the state. The demonstration has caused significant disruptions, with commuters and motorists stranded on the Akure/Owo Road as protesters blocked the road at Ogbese, preventing the movement of vehicles.
The recent killings have highlighted the growing insecurity in Ondo State, particularly the frequent attacks by armed herdsmen on farming communities. This latest tragedy marks another brutal chapter in the ongoing conflict between farmers and herders, which has been escalating in various parts of Nigeria. The victims of the latest attack were killed in cold blood when armed herdsmen reportedly invaded their farms, shooting them dead in the early morning hours.
Local residents and farmers have expressed growing concern over their safety, with many fearing for their lives as the violence appears to be spreading. The killings are not isolated incidents; only a fortnight ago, a similar attack claimed the lives of 20 farmers in four different farm settlements within Akure North Local Government Area. These deadly invasions have sparked outrage among the people, who are now demanding urgent action from the state and federal governments to end the killings and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Frustrated by what they perceive as the state government’s lack of action in addressing the killings, the protesters took matters into their own hands. They gathered at the Governor’s Office to publicly display the bodies of the deceased, in an effort to put pressure on the state authorities to take stronger action. The protesters were calling for immediate security measures, the arrest of the armed herders responsible, and greater protection for farmers in rural areas.
The decision to carry the bodies to the Governor’s Office was meant to send a clear message to the state government that the people of Ondo State will no longer tolerate the continuing attacks. The protestors are also angry about the perceived ineffectiveness of the state government’s response to the growing threat posed by armed herders.
“We cannot continue to live in fear while our people are being killed in cold blood,” said one of the protesters, a local farmer who spoke on condition of anonymity. “The government has done nothing to protect us, and we are left to defend ourselves against these killers.”
The protest, which started as a peaceful demonstration, quickly turned disruptive. Protesters barricaded the Akure/Owo Road at Ogbese, a key highway in the state, causing major traffic disruptions. Commuters and motorists traveling through the area were left stranded as the road blockage persisted for several hours.
The blockade caused significant hardship for travellers, with many forced to find alternative routes or wait in long queues. The protesters were determined to ensure that their voices were heard, even if it meant disrupting the daily activities of the public.
“We are tired of the killing and the government’s indifference. If they will not act, we will make them listen,” said another protester who was part of the group blocking the road.
Security forces were quickly deployed to the scene to manage the situation, but by the time they arrived, the protesters had already made their point. While the protest did not escalate into violent confrontations, tensions remained high as the protesters voiced their anger at what they saw as the failure of both the state and federal governments to address the ongoing security crisis.
At the time of the protest, the Ondo State government had not issued an official statement on the latest killings or the demonstration. However, the state’s government had previously condemned the attacks on farmers, but many local residents feel that the government’s responses have been insufficient.
The conflict between farmers and herders is not new to Nigeria, but the frequency and brutality of the attacks have escalated in recent years. This crisis, rooted in land disputes and ethnic tensions, has led to the displacement of many farming communities, with thousands losing their lives in the process.
In Ondo State, the violence has reached alarming levels, and farmers in the affected areas are becoming increasingly frustrated. They are calling for more support from both the state and federal governments in dealing with the insecurity that continues to plague their livelihoods.
The protests in Akure are a direct result of the escalating violence, and they are a clear sign that the people of Ondo State are no longer willing to tolerate the killings and the government’s inaction. As the situation continues to worsen, many are asking whether the state government will take more concrete steps to ensure the safety of farmers and the broader public.
The protests in Akure are a clear indication that the people of Ondo State are fed up with the ongoing killings and the lack of action to stop them. While the protests were peaceful, they serve as a wake-up call for the state government to take stronger measures in addressing the issue of insecurity, particularly in rural areas.
In the wake of these killings, there are growing calls for stronger collaboration between state and federal authorities, as well as the establishment of more robust security measures in vulnerable communities. If the government does not act decisively, it is likely that the protests will continue to grow, and the situation may spiral further out of control.
For now, the people of Ondo State are left hoping for a swift and effective response from the authorities to end the killings and restore peace to their communities.
