Again, Suspected Herdsmen Kill Boy In Ondo

Suspected herdsmen have again gruesomely murdered another farmer, Joshua Gbadamosi, in Ifira Akoko, Akoko South-East Council area of Ondo State, thereby heightening tension in the four council areas in the Northern Senatorial district area of the state.

Osun Defender reports that a farmer, Sunday Ayeni, was last week, murdered by suspected herdsmen after some of them were made to pay compensation to the deceased when his farm was destroyed by their herds.

Anxiety has consequently gripped the community following the murder of the farmer as other farmers abandoned their farmland while many residents fled the community for fear of further attacks.

Also, women across the community on Tuesday, protested half naked to the palace of the traditional ruler, the Olubaka of Oka, Oba Adebori Adeleye, demanding justice for the victim and an end to herdsmen attacks in the community.

Oba Adeleye, while speaking to the women, pleaded with them to allow security agencies handle the matter adding that they are on top of the situation.

Reports had it that the latest killing by suspected herdsmen took place at the victim’s farm in the Odudu farm settlement.

The lifeless body of the 15-year-old victim, from Odoro Quarters, Ifira, was discovered after he was allegedly macheted to death by the suspected herdsmen.

A police source said that the body of the victim was recovered at Isua Akoko and transferred to the morgue at Ipe Akoko General Hospital.

Meanwhile, traditional rulers and community leaders in the communities have convened an emergency meeting to address the resurgence of kidnapping, killings and other crimes in the four council areas in the district.

The Owa of Ogbagi Akoko, Oba Victor Adetona Olasehinde, who also chairs the Akoko Divisional Council of Obas, described the killings as “callous, wicked, and unacceptable.”

Oba Oladehinde lamented that the unchecked activities of the herdsmen are driving farmers away from their farms and thereby jeopardising the region’s status as a critical food basket for the state.

 

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The monarchs called on the government and security agencies to step up their efforts to restore peace and security in the Akoko communities.

They warned that the continued neglect of the situation could have dire consequences for the community and beyond.

Contacted, the state police spokesperson, Funmi Odunlami, who confirmed the murder of the farmer.

Odunlami said that one suspect, Adamu Farouk, has been arrested by police detectives in respect of the murder of the farmer.

She added that the 15 year, old suspect, was being interrogated and would soon be charged to court for murder.

Meanwhile, the state police commissioner, Abayomi Oladipo, has read riot act to rampaging herdsmen and youths in the communities.

Abayomi who visited the troubled Uba/ Eshimeri in Akoko and Aduloju camp, in Akoko South West, vowed to bring to book the killers of a farmer, Sunday Ayeni and arsonists that wreaked havoc in Aduloju camp in the council area of the state.

He visited the community to assess the clash between the people of the community and the Fulani living in the area, and read riot acts to the herdsmen and the youths.

The Commissioner in the course of his visit, met with the “people of Uba community, sympathized with them on the death of their beloved son and promised to bring to book the perpetrators while he also met with the Fulani in Aduloju camp that the arsonists will not be spared.

He appealed to the two parties to maintain peace while the command is carrying out a detailed investigation and directed the Criminal Investigation Department to take over the case.

“He also promised to meet with the Governor and relate all discussed in the meeting.