By Funmilayo Akinyemi
Hundreds of angry protesters took to streets of Akure, the Ondo State, South West Nigeria, Wednesday, over alleged killing of five farmers by suspected herdsmen.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, at Aba Oyinbo community, Akure North Local Government Area of the State, when the assailants reportedly opened fire on the victims.
This is barely two weeks after about 14 people were reportedly murdered by gunmen in four communities, namely, Ademekun, Aba Pastor, Aba Sunday, and Alajido, all in the same local government area.
As a result of this, 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.
One of the protesters, who declined mentioning his name, lammented the increasing spate of killings.
He alleged that the attackers infiltrated the State from the Edo State axis.
“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 State Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, who addressed the protesters, appealed for calm.
He assured that that the perpetrators will be fished out and made to face justice.
