Tension rises in Akure as farmers protest the killing of five people by suspected herdsmen, demanding urgent government intervention

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]ension gripped Akure, the capital of Ondo State, on Wednesday as farmers took to the streets to protest the brutal killing of five individuals by suspected herdsmen.

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The tragic incident occurred early in the morning at Aba Oyinbo, a community in Akure North Local Government Area, when the assailants launched a deadly attack, opening fire on the victims.

This latest killing comes less than two weeks after gunmen were reported to have murdered at least 14 people in four communities—Ademekun, Aba Pastor, Aba Sunday, and Alajido—all located within the same local government area.

The repeated attacks have sparked growing concerns among residents and farmers in the region, many of whom fear for their safety and livelihoods.

Angry farmers flooded the streets in protest, marching to the Governor’s Office in large numbers, chanting solidarity songs, and demanding that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa take immediate action to curb the unrelenting attacks on farmers.

The protesters called for an end to the killings and for greater security measures to be put in place to protect their communities.

One of the protestors, identified only as Jonah, expressed frustration over the ongoing violence, claiming that the assailants had infiltrated Ondo State through neighbouring Edo.

“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,” he said.

The protest highlights the growing alarm over the increasing frequency of attacks in the region, with locals and farmers alike calling for urgent intervention from both the state and federal government.

Also read: 11 killed in Christmas day attack by suspected herdsmen in Benue State

As the protests unfolded, security operatives were swiftly deployed to the scene to prevent any breakdown of law and order, as tensions remained high. The situation continues to develop, and authorities are closely monitoring the unrest.