—A month of relentless attacks leaves multiple dead and wounded as government silence fuels outrage
SAMUEL OLANIYAN AKURE, ONDO STATE
In a harrowing escalation of violence suspected herdsmen have had multiple farmers killed and wounded across different communities in Ondo State within the past month, leaving residents in fear and prompting widespread protests.The most recent attack occurred on March 19, 2025, when five farmers were ambushed and killed in the Aba Oyinbo community of Akure North Local Government Area. In a desperate plea for intervention, enraged residents transported the corpses to the Governor's Office in Alagbaka, Akure, blocking roads and demanding immediate action from Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. The protest was led by Chief Taiwo Samuel, the traditional ruler of Adeshina Community."Three farmers were killed this morning while on their way to the farm by Fulani herdsmen. We brought their bodies here for everyone to witness and to prevent any denial from the authorities, which we have faced previously," Chief Samuel said. “Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa promised us enhanced security after the last incident, but nothing has improved. We are imploring the government to allow us to defend ourselves if they cannot safeguard us.”This incident follows a similar tragedy on January 30, 2025, where five labourers were slain by suspected herdsmen at the Ajegunle-Powerline community. The victims, hired from Plateau and Kaduna States, were working on the farm when they were attacked.Despite the mounting death toll, Governor Aiyedatiwa has remained conspicuously silent, offering no public statements or concrete measures to address the crisis. This perceived indifference has intensified public frustration, with residents accusing the administration of abandoning them to relentless assaults.The Ondo State Police Command has acknowledged some of these incidents but disputes the reported figures. In a statement on January 31, 2025, the police confirmed an attack at Ajegunle-Powerline but did not specify the number of casualties. This contradiction has further eroded public trust in the authorities' ability to safeguard lives and property.Community leaders and stakeholders are calling for an overhaul of the state's security architecture, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to prevent further loss of life. The absence of a decisive response from the state government continues to leave rural communities vulnerable, as the cycle of violence persists unabated.In a related development, a commercial bus operated by GUO Transport Company was ambushed by gunmen along the Akunu-Ayere axis of Ondo State. The assailants opened fire on the Abuja-bound vehicle, injuring several passengers and leaving the bus riddled with bullets. A disturbing video from the scene showed blood-splattered seats and traumatized survivors. The driver recounted, "I thank God nothing happened to me. Can you see how they damaged the vehicle with bullets?" This area has become notorious for bandit and kidnapper activities, despite the presence of police checkpoints.The cumulative effect of these incidents has heightened tensions across the state, with residents fearing for their safety and livelihoods. The agricultural sector, a mainstay of Ondo's economy, faces significant disruptions as farmers abandon their lands in fear of attacks.
Security experts suggest that the state's vast and porous borders contribute to the ease with which assailants operate and escape. They advocate for enhanced surveillance, community policing, and collaboration between state and federal security agencies to address the menace effectively.Former Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi in his opinion criticised Governor Aiyedatiwa’s inability to tackle the security challenge: “Let me underscore the fact that the security challenge confronting Ondo State is not an entirely new development, but governments before the present have adeptly managed this odious crisis and disallowed it to fester to the level it is today.“While I condemn the sloppiness and lethargy with which Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa is conducting the affairs of our state, it completely underscores his ill-preparedness and incompetence to be in the saddle.“The need to take full grip of this crisis cannot be delayed a day longer. I therefore call on the Governor to seek help and take actions that will take Ondo State back from the grip of invading bandits forthwith.“Due to the fact that Mr Governor takes over a billion naira as a security vote, it is time to make the administration of this fund bear results in the interest of the State; we the people do not deserve anything less,” he said.The Independent Newspaper Publishers Association of Nigeria (AINPN) recently urged Governor Aiyedatiwa to completely overhaul the state’s security apparatus, emphasizing that political appointments should not compromise the competence of those in charge of security. In a strongly worded statement, the association warned that "no meaningful development can occur in a state gripped by fear and soaked in blood."These are not isolated incidents. They form a disturbing pattern that spans months of bloodshed, mostly in the shadows of official inaction. Farmers in Ala, Ajagbusi, Igbatoro, and Elefosan speak of masked attackers lying in wait on farm paths, ambushing anyone daring enough to pursue their daily toil.Despite the persistent presence of police checkpoints, the attackers seemingly operate with surgical precision and impunity. What is more galling is the absence of swift, robust countermeasures from state security operatives, even as the Amotekun Corps remains underutilized and under-resourced.The National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), South-West Zone D, on Thursday, embarked on a protest in Akure against the rising incidents of insecurity in Ondo State. The protesters carried various placards with inscriptions such as “Ondo Students Not Lucky”; “Nigerian Students in Ondo State Deserve Better”; “We Need More Security In Our State.”Mr Ademola Adegoke, Deputy Coordinator of NANS, South-West Zone D, who spoke with newsmen, said that the protest was to show their grievance over insecurity, especially as it affected students in the state.“Some of our students including those on SIWES cannot go to their various places of assignments, even those that need to go to farms do not due to the rampant kidnapping in the state. Recently, four students of Federal College of Agriculture (FECA), Akure, were kidnapped and the governor did not show any signs of empathy. As the number one citizen in the state, Mr Governor was supposed to come out and address us,” he said.The popular Oba Adesida Road leading to the State High Court was blocked by the protesting students, causing a traffic snarl around the A Division Headquarters of the Nigeria Police. While no government official came out to address the students, personnel of the police ensured the protest remained peaceful and was not hijacked by hoodlums.Eniola Ojajuni, Afenifere Youth Leader, also recounted his harrowing experience with Fulani kidnappers: “On February 17, 2025, I became a victim of the growing wave of kidnappings by Fulani herdsmen in Ondo State. While traveling near Akunu Akoko en route to Abuja, my vehicle was ambushed by armed Fulani herdsmen dressed in military uniforms, despite being near a military checkpoint. The attackers sprayed our vehicle with 19 bullets, wounding me and others before forcibly abducting us.”He continued, “My abductors initially demanded N100 million but later settled for N17 million with food and drinks. My wife had to bring them 20 wraps of fufu, soup and drinks along with the money.”Ojajuni also explained how the ransom location had to be changed from Ikare to Ibilo after the kidnappers noticed security agencies were tracking them.As at the time of filing this report, no official statement has been issued regarding the last three killed, whose names are reportedly listed in the mortuary register of the UNIMED Teaching Hospital, where their bodies were deposited.
