Ondo State has been rocked by yet another deadly attack, as suspected armed herders invaded a farming settlement in Aba Oyinbo, Akure North Local Government Area, killing five farmers in the early hours of Wednesday.
The latest tragedy comes just two weeks after a brutal midnight assault on four communities in Ala Elefosan, where over 20 farmers were murdered. The unrelenting wave of violence has left residents in a state of fear and outrage, prompting mass protests against the government’s perceived failure to curb the killings.
In response to the latest attack, angry residents stormed the Governor’s Office in Akure, blocking roads and chanting solidarity songs. The protesters displayed the bodies of the slain farmers while calling on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to take immediate action against the incessant attacks. The demonstration led to the shutdown of the Governor’s Office, with roads barricaded, leaving commuters and motorists stranded.
Security operatives, including the police and the state’s security network, Amotekun, were deployed to strategic locations across the state capital in an effort to prevent a breakdown of law and order. However, tensions remain high as residents continue to demand justice and security assurances from the state government.
Meanwhile, a separate mass protest erupted in Ogbese along the Akure/Owo/Benin road, further paralyzing movement in the region. The recurring attacks have heightened concerns over the safety of farmers and rural communities, with many calling for more decisive action to curb the menace of armed herders in Ondo State.
Authorities have yet to make an official statement on the incident, but pressure is mounting on security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore peace to the affected areas.
