The protesting women.
‘We condemn the killing of Sunday Ayeni, in his farm in the community’
By Bola Adeyinka
Ondo women, in their hundreds, on Wednesday August 14, 2024, staged a protest against killings and rape in their farms by herdsmen, while condemning the killing of one Sunday Ayeni in his farm.
The half-dressed women from Uba-Oka Akoko community in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State, also appealed to the government and its security agents to protect them from the marouding herdmen.
Their clamour followed the recent murder of a farmer, Sunday Ayeni, on his farm in the community.
The corpse of Ayeni was found on his farm, with machete wounds and his intestines exposed, indicating that he was brutally stabbed to death by his attackers.
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During the protest, the women, who were also without head ties, trekked to the palace of the traditional ruler of Oka Akoko, Oba Adebori Adeleye, chanting various songs of anger.
The protesters also accused the herdsmen of destroying their crops.
On behalf of the protesting women, Abigail Ojo, narrated their ordeal, stating that they had practically abandoned their farms due to fear of being attacked by the herdsmen.
Ojo said, “We call on security agencies to help find lasting solutions to our problems.
“We are protesting to let the government know our plight.”
The Public Relations Officer of Ondo State Police Command, SP ‘Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, in her reaction to the protest, stated that police investigations had since commenced on the killings, assuring that the perpetrators would soon be apprehended and brought to justice.
It was gathered that he killing of Ayeni occurred just a few days after the deceased received monetary compensation for his farm, which was destroyed by cows allegedly belonging to herdsmen in the area.
A source, who preferred anonymity revealed that Ayeni’s farm was destroyed by herdsmen last week.
However, the situation was resolved by security agents and community elders, who intervened and facilitated the payment of an undisclosed amount of money as compensation to Ayeni by the herdsmen.
