Suspected herdsmen kill farmer in Ekiti

Suspected herdsmen struck again in Ekiti State yesterday, killing a farmer, Tunde Olayemi, in Ipao-Ekiti, Ikole Local Government.

Olayemi, who was a commercial motorcyclist, was killed by those referred to by the locals as “Bororo herdsmen” while returning from his farm.

The father of two who had gone to his farm to harvest cassava was said to have been accosted alongside a friend by the herdsmen who gave them a hot chase before catching up with the victim.

The killing has created panic in Ipao and other neighbouring communities, like Oke-Ako and Irele where the herdsmen had killed some residents.

The latest attack occurred after suspected herdsmen attacked the Orin Farm Settlement in Orin-Ekiti in Ido/Osi Local Government Area where they killed an expectant Tiv farmer.

Ikole Local Government Chairman Mrs Abiola Ajayi, in a telephone chat last night, said the police had visited the community and evacuated Olayemi’s body.

Mrs. Ajayi said: “The deceased was an okada man who has a farm in the settlement. He had gone to his farm to harvest some cassava. He was with one other person.

“They were heading back to town from the farm and had loaded the motorbike with cassava when they saw some Fulani herdsmen coming towards them.

“They were said to have been surprised at seeing the herdsmen, who brought out their gun. The two farmers ran for dear lives.

“The Bororos were said to have pursued the two men and eventually got Olayemi who was killed like a cow.

“We have reported the matter to the nearest police station and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) has since swung into action and sent two vehicles and they have gone to the scene of the murder to take the corpse and also commence investigation.”

The leader of the local hunters in Ipao, Mr. Adebayo Odeyemi, said they would fish out the killers in collaboration with security agencies.

Describing the attack as “unprovoked”, he vowed that the scenario won’t be allowed to repeat itself again.

Odeyemi said: “We haven’t attacked any herdsman but they have killed one now and right now we will ensure they are not allowed to do this again.

“We are valiant men not cowards and we will face them this time around. They have massacred one of us mercilessly and this won’t happen again.”

Police spokesman Alberto Adeyemi could not be reached last night.