‘Five farmers’ killed as gunmen invade Ondo community

At least five people have reportedly been killed by gunmen, in the Ajegunle-powerline community, Akure north LGA of Ondo state.

Akin Olowolafe, an eyewitness and member of the community, said suspected herders attacked a farm in the community with guns.

He identified the victims of the attack as farm labourers hired from Plateau and Kaduna states.

“The incident happened around 3pm on Tuesday. They shot sporadically, killing five of our workers. This is how they usually come to disturb and destroy our crops,” he said.

“On several occasions, we’ve reported them to the state government and even to security agencies but no positive actions were taken to curb their illegality.”

Olowolafe said the incessant attacks in the area have made life unbearable for members of the community. He added that many farmers have deserted their farms for fear of being killed.

Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, spokesperson of the police command in Ondo, confirmed the incident, disclosing that the police have commenced an investigation.

“There was an attack on the community, and police are still investigating. But I cannot confirm the number of people that were killed,” she said.

Men of the hunters and vigilantes association in Akure north LGA have deposited the bodies of the victims at the morgue of the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMETH) in Akure.