A tragic incident occurred on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Osun State when a swarm of bees attacked three farmers, killing one and seriously injuring two others. The shocking event took place at Olobe Farm in Igbajo, Boluwaduro Local Government Area.
The deceased farmer, identified as Abideen Olabiyi, was working on the farm alongside Mr Solomon Kingsley and Chief Olusegun Alalade, all of whom are members of the Alalade Compound in Ada, a town in Osun State. According to the police, the three men were tending to their farm when a swarm of bees descended on them.
While Kingsley and Alalade were lucky to escape with injuries, Olabiyi was not so fortunate. He was pronounced dead at the scene due to the severity of the bee stings.
The Otan Ayegbaju Police Division confirmed the incident in a statement released on Saturday. The report noted that the police received a complaint from a relative of the victims, Babasanjo Alalade, who reported the incident shortly after it occurred.
The police immediately dispatched a team of officers to the scene to assess the situation. Photographs were taken at the site of the attack, and the deceased’s body was evacuated to Healthy Paradise Mortuary in Ikirun.
“Today, Friday 18 at about 1645 hours, there was a complaint from one Babasanjo Alalade of Alalade Compound, Ada, Osun State. He stated that three of his brothers — Abideen Olabiyi, Mr Solomon Kingsley and Chief Olusegun Alalade — went to the farm in Olobe, Igbajo, where they were attacked by a swarm of bees,” the police report stated.
“Mr Abideen Olabiyi lost his life, while the other two managed to escape. Detectives visited the scene, the corpse was removed and deposited at the mortuary for further investigation. The other victims were rushed to a nearby hospital,” it added.
As of the time of filing this report, the cause of the bee attack remains unknown. However, experts have explained that bees are generally non-aggressive unless provoked. Disturbances near their hives — including loud noise, strong scents, or farm machinery — can trigger defensive behaviour.
It is not clear if the farmers unknowingly disturbed a beehive, leading to the aggressive swarm. The police have not ruled out any possibility and said investigations are ongoing.
Bee attacks are relatively rare in Nigeria, but they can be deadly when they occur. A swarm of bees can contain thousands of individuals, and when provoked, they can launch a coordinated and sustained attack.
Medical professionals say multiple bee stings can cause severe allergic reactions, swelling, difficulty in breathing, and in some cases, death — especially if the victim does not receive immediate medical care.
Dr. Opeyemi Adedayo, a general practitioner in Osogbo, noted that while a few stings may not be dangerous, large numbers can overwhelm the human body.
“If someone is stung dozens or even hundreds of times, the amount of venom can lead to toxic reactions. In cases like these, death can occur very quickly without urgent medical intervention,” he explained.
Farming remains one of the most important sources of livelihood for millions of Nigerians, especially in the rural areas. However, farmers often face a range of dangers in their work, including wild animal attacks, dangerous terrain, inadequate access to healthcare, and now, unexpected incidents like bee attacks.
The Nigerian government has been called upon multiple times to improve the safety and welfare of rural farmers, who form a major part of the country’s agricultural economy.
Agriculture contributes more than 20% to Nigeria’s GDP and employs about 70% of the rural population, yet many farmers work without basic support like insurance, security, or access to emergency services.
