ARMED assailants, suspected to be herdsmen, have attacked four communities in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, resulting in the deaths of over 20 farmers.
The attacks occurred at midnight over the weekend in Aba Pastor, Aba Sunday, Ademekun Camp, and Aba Alajido within Ala Elefosan.
According to a resident, 14 bodies have been recovered in the past 48 hours, while several people remain unaccounted for.
The Regent of Ademekun Camp, Adelowo Adekemisola, confirmed that 14 farmers were killed in his community alone.
He stated that the gunmen infiltrated the area through the Edo State boundary and began shooting indiscriminately.
Ondo State Police Command spokesperson, Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the attack and assured the public that security forces are working to apprehend the perpetrators and enhance safety in the affected communities.
However, as of the time of this report, the Ondo State Government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
This attack adds to a growing list of violent incidents targeting farmers in Nigeria.
In January, a similar attack in Borno State left scores of farmers dead when gunmen ambushed them near Lake Chad.
Experts warn that continued attacks on farmers could worsen Nigeria’s food insecurity, exacerbating inflation and threatening the country’s economic stability.