Three injured as gunmen attack farm settlement in Ekiti

Three women were hospitalised on Tuesday, following an attack by gunmen on a farm settlement in Irele-Ekiti, Ikole LGA of Ekiti state.

The attackers, who were said to be six, reportedly stormed the farm settlement in the early hours of Tuesday bearing various arms.

The women were said to have been attacked with machetes, and left in a pool of blood.

A resident of the community, who didn’t want to be named, alleged that the attackers were herders, adding that the victims were rushed to the Ikole General Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment.

He also said the attackers demanded money from the victims, but were furious after the women failed to give them anything tangible, and also prevented attempts to rape them.

“The women were unable to meet up with the demand as they said they were only with just N200 with them. The herdsmen collected all the money found on them and made attempts to forcefully sleep with the women. The refusal of the women to grant their demand for such immoral act led to the brutal attack before they fled the scene,” the resident said.

“The women were so macheted to the extent that it will take the grace of God for them to survive, because they have lost so much of blood.”

Sunday Abutu, police public relations officer in Ekiti, confirmed the attack, and noted that investigations had begun in a bid to arrest the perpetrators.

The development comes weeks after two farmers were killed by suspected herders in Isaba-Ekiti, Ikole LGA.

The victims were shot dead on their farm, leading to protest in the community.