Suspected herdsmen have again struck near the farm of a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae.
The suspects were reportedly searching for their strayed cows, which led to an alleged exchange of gunfire.
Armed policemen were said to have been drafted to the farm of the elder statesman.
It was learnt that a farmer was killed near Falae’s farm at Kajola in Igbatoro, near Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The deceased, identified as Linus Ogheh from Ebonyi State, resided at Ileyo Camp, an agrarian community near Igbatoro in Akure North Local Government Area.
Ogheh, according to sources, went to his farm to collect cocoyam for planting but was allegedly attacked and killed on the farm.
Residents of various camps around Igbatoro, who are mostly non-indigenes, had reportedly been fleeing for fear of herdsmen’s attack.
It was learnt that the killing of Ogheh, a father of seven, triggered a protest among non-indigenous farmers in the area.
They reportedly protested with their wives, children and other residents.
The protesters, who brandished green leaves and placards with various inscriptions, condemned grazing on their farms and the attendant damage to their crops.
Addressing reporters, the traditional head of Ileyo Igbatoro Camp, Chief Ogunleye Taiwo, said 95 per cent of those living in the area were non-indigenes, comprising Igbo, Agatu, Ebira and Langtang farmers.
He said: “This man, who was killed, had been living here for over 30 years. Chief Falae’s farm is close to us here. Our people cannot go to their farms because of the fear that the herdsmen would attack them.
“This is the time we should be spraying our cocoa farms with chemicals, but we cannot go to the farms. This area is the food basket of Akure, the state capital, but cattle enter our farms without restrain. We are tired of the menace of the herdsmen.
“The youths in the area wanted to confront the herdsmen but we have been restraining them because we know what that can cause.”
The President of Coalition of Non-Indigenes Associations and Chairman Agatu Farmers Association, Vincent Adonyi said the menace of the herdsmen would worsen food production and security, if not checked.
He said: “This is June. We do not have sufficient maize. The cassava is not there and other food crops we used to plant are not there because people are scared of going to their farms.
“Herdsmen drove some of us away from Benue and Plateau states. Now that we are here, the herdsmen have come again. This is disturbing and should be of concern to the government.”
Adonyi urged the state government to empower security agencies to deal with the situation and avoid worsening the food crisis in the country.
The farmer said the police removed the body of the deceased and deposited it at the mortuary.
Police spokesman Femi Joseph, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the death of the farmer.
He said it would be hasty to conclude on what or who killed the farmer.
Joseph added that an autopsy and investigation would reveal the cause of his death.

OK,

Where is Buhari to call his brothers to order , getting out of hands.

Its high time farmers starts applying pesticides on their crops. What nonsense with incessant attacks by these Fulani zombies

Una fit add insecticides join am make e for confirm the dead of their cows

The only thing those fulani understand is the Mambilla treatment. Everyone needs to come together and defend themselves against these marauding fulani herdsmen

mtchewww.. ..I wish I could do something.

Are u sure. this Fulani z are Nigerian? They can't differentiate a farm and a land left to fallow? While growing up I saw lots if herders in my town. They seem to mind their cows. they rarely , if ever enter a cultivated land but these new sets , seem not to understand anything...