See How Farmer Was Killed By Suspected Herdsmen In Ogun

Suspected herdsmen have allegedly killed a farmer, Adetona Owolabi, on his farm on Thursday at Afon in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State.

This killing came barely few hours after the state government said it had taken measures to prevent clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the state.

Our correspondent gathered that trouble began when the farmer, who was working on his farmland located few metres from the newly constructed bridge at Afon, along the Owode-Abeokuta Road, suddenly saw a herd of cattle and herdsmen on his farm.

Following this development, he was said to have accosted them for allowing their cattle to graze on the farmland and destroying his cassava, yam and vegetables.

The assailants allegedly attacked and inflicted him with varying degrees of machete cuts.

He was said to have later died due to severity of the injuries.

The perpetrators allegedly fled the scene.

Colleagues of the farmers, who were on nearby farmlands, were reportedly attracted to the scene by the victim’s cry for help. He was found in a pool of his blood, writhing in pain.

He subsequently died before he could be rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

A family source said the slain farmer had been interred on that same day in Afon, according to Muslim rites.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who confirmed the incident, said one suspect had been arrested.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, had ordered that the suspect should be transferred to the state Criminal Investigation Department in Abeokuta.

Oyeyemi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said the CP had equally ordered that the Area Commander at Ilaro, should relocate to Afon, and ensure that the situation was brought under control.

The state government had on Thursday convened a meeting on how to avert clashes between herders and farmers.

In attendance at the meeting were the Commander, 32 Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army, Alamala, Abeokuta, Brig.-Gen.Bassey Adkie, Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Ahmed Iliyasu and the Ogun State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr. Philips Ayodele.

The Secretary to the State Government, Adeoluwa Taiwo, had told representatives of the various interest groups, including the leaders of the Fulani, Hausa communities and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, that the government was aware of the security challenges, but that it was  “doing all within its power to prevent a breach of peace.”