Sunday Ayeni, a farmer of 36 years old, was killed in Uba Oka Akoko in the Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State a few days after receiving payment from herders for damaging his crops. Read full article
It was learned that on Sunday, August 11, 2024, the deceased's lifeless body with machete wounds and his guts exposed was discovered on his farm.
The dog that had gone with him to the farm was discovered dead next to him. Shortly after the deceased farmer was compensated for his land being destroyed by some local herdsmen's cows, an incident occurred.
Ayeni's farm was demolished by ranchers last week, according to a local source, but the security officers and community elders stepped in and broke up the confrontation between him and the herders.
The late farmer demanded recompense from the herders, which was kept a secret.
Yesterday, Saturday, the late farmer went to the farm as usual with his dog, but he was running late. This resulted in a search party finding his body in a pool of blood, his cutlass and dog by his side.
It is suggested by sources that Ayeni was killed because the herders were not happy with the money they were made to pay as compensation.
The entire community has been in mourning for the deceased, according to Mr. Pius Imoru, a community leader in the area who verified the occurrence.
He also added that residents are now afraid to visit their farms. Due to attacks by herdsmen, farmers in Uba Oka Akoko are now afraid to visit their land.
He stated, "We urge the state's security services and the administration to investigate the security conditions in our neighborhood.