Despite Ban On Open Grazing, Herders Destroy Farmlands, Threaten Farmer

In spite of the ban on open grazing in Osun State, herders have continued to destroy farmlands and agricultural produce in the state.

Findings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that the herders have not ceased grazing on people’s farms and destroying their crops in the process.

Just recently, some herders invaded a cassava farm owned by one Oluwafemi Jimoh at Oke-Osun farm settlement, Osogbo local government of the state.

The herders also attacked Jimoh when he confronted them on the farm, according to some residents of the village.

It was gathered that the herders had invaded the 10 hectares of farmland twice before Jimoh decided to confront them on February 2, 2022.

Apart from his farm at Oke-Osun, the herders also reportedly invaded another Jimoh’s cassava farms at Adaba village, close to llesa garage area of Osogbo.

According to sources, Jimoh is currently living in fear as the herders have reportedly been threatening him for having the courage to confront them.

One of the residents of the village, Mr. Tunde Ajiboye, called on the state government to caution the herders, saying they have become a threat to their safety and livelihood.

Ajiboye revealed, “The herders have not stopped from grazing on peoples’ farms; the government should be aware of that.”

“The herders have completely destroyed Mr. Oluwafemi Jimoh’s farms at different locations here. They have destroyed all the crops on the farm. The most serious thing is that those herders attacked Mr Jimoh and they have been threatening to kill him after that because he confronted them.”

This medium gathered that the destruction of Oluwafemi Jimoh’s farm which was a major source of income for him, might affect his financial stability.

When contacted, Jimoh, an HND graduate of Mechanical Engineering, confirmed to this medium that his farmlands were destroyed by the herders, lamenting that his source of income had been destroyed and that he was afraid for his life.

When asked if he reported to the police, Jimoh said: “I didn’t report to the police because majority of the farmers that reported the herders to the police have been killed. The police are also afraid of the herders. Even when I didn’t report it to the police, the herders were threatening my life; they sent threatening messages every week because I confronted them.

“The government should help the farmers. What the herders are doing will result to violent crisis and shortage of food eventually.”