AKURE – Irate farmers in Nigeria’s southwestern city of Akure on Wednesday, took to the streets to protest incessant killings by herdsmen, after five persons were reportedly slaughtered by the criminals.
The assailants reportedly invaded Aba Oyinbo community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State in the early hours of Wednesday, opening fire on the victims.
The fresh killings come barely two weeks after at least 20 people were hacked to death by herdsmen in four communities—Ademekun, Aba Pastor, Aba Sunday, and Alajido—all in the same local government area.
Angry protesters stormed the Governor’s Office in large numbers, chanting solidarity songs and calling on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to urgently intervene and halt the unrelenting attacks on farmers.
Others barricaded the Akure/Owo highway, protesting the abduction and killings in the council area.
Many motorists were said to have been stranded on the highway.
The irate residents displayed bodies of the slain farmers in front of the Governor’s office.
They expressed concern that the criminals were having a field day despite the efforts of the security personnel.
“We are being slaughtered without anyone doing anything. Akure North is under siege. We are farmers, not criminals. We are appealing to the governor, the police, the army, and Amotekun to save us before more lives are lost,” one of the protesters, identified as Jonah told reporters, adding that the attackers infiltrated the state through Edo.
Security operatives have been deployed to the protest scene to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
KOIKI Media reported on Tuesday that security operatives, comprising soldiers, police, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), reportedly attacked thousands of women protesting against herdsmen killings in Eha-Amufu, Isi-Uzu Local Government Area of the southeastern state of Enugu.
The security operatives were reportedly deployed by Governor Peter Mbah-led Enugu State government, who allegedly wanted to suppress reports of herdsmen attacks and insecurity in the state.
‘KILLER HERDSMEN’
The conflict between Fulani herdsmen and farmers in Nigeria has been a longstanding issue, resulting in violence and loss of lives.
The Fulani people are believed to be the largest semi-nomadic group globally, found across West and Central Africa. In Nigeria, some continue to live as semi-nomadic herders, while others have moved to cities. Unlike city dwellers, the nomadic groups spend most of their lives in the bush and are often involved in clashes with farming communities, and also engage in kidnapping for ransom. They herd their animals across vast areas, frequently clashing with local farmers.
The herders now bear sophisticated weapons and use them to terrorize many parts of the country, with security operatives ignoring many of the attacks for allegedly not getting orders to go after the armed criminals.
Several brutal attacks happened under former President Muhammadu Buhari, who was born to a Fulani family on 17 December 1942, in Daura, a town in Katsina State, northwest Nigeria.
The continuous unprovoked attacks triggered resistance in South-East region, inhabited by Igbo people and South-West region, inhabited by the Yoruba people.
A Yoruba activist and philanthropist, Chief Dr. Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho, demanded end to the attacks that have cost lives of thousands. He asked the Fulani people to vacate all the forests in South-West Nigeria.
As the Akoni Oodua of Yorubaland, he is known for fighting for the rights of the Yoruba people. He is currently advocating for a sovereign Yoruba country.
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