A 36-year-old farmer, Sunday Ayenis, from Uba Oka in Akoko Southwest Local Government Area, was killed just days after herders compensated him for damaging his crops.
Villagers have alleged that the herders were responsible for Ayenis’ killing, stating that his lifeless body was found in his farm with his intestines exposed. Ayenis’ dog, which had accompanied him to the farm, was also killed and found lying beside him.
Sources suggest the attack may have occurred because the herders were dissatisfied with the amount of compensation they had paid. The compensation was reportedly negotiated by security agents and community elders.
“He went to his farm with his dog as usual yesterday but he didn’t come back on time and this led to a search party going to the bush,” a source revealed. “It was the search party who discovered his lifeless body in a pool of his blood with his dog and cutlass beside him.”
Farmer and community leader, Mr. Pius Imoru, expressed the community’s grief, stating that they are now scared of going to their farms due to the herdsmen attacks.
A combined security team of the police and Amotekun Corps has been deployed to trail the assailants.
The incident has once again highlighted the ongoing tensions between farmers and herders in the region, underscoring the need for a lasting solution to prevent such tragic occurrences.
