By Adeyemi Adekunle
In a violent confrontation, suspected herdsmen attacked operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, known as Amotekun, in the Igoba community of Akure North Local Government Area.
The attack occurred while the security personnel were enforcing the state’s anti-open grazing law, a measure implemented to protect local farmers from livestock-induced damage.
According to a statement released on Saturday, July 6, by Jimoh Adeniken, spokesperson for the Amotekun Corps, the incident transpired on the previous day, July 5, at approximately 4:00 PM.
The Amotekun officers had responded to persistent complaints from farmers in the Igoba and Osi communities regarding the destruction of their crops by wandering cattle.
“Since May 6, 2024, farmers in these areas have reported continuous destruction of their farms by cows,” Adeniken explained. “In response, our team from the Alagbaka headquarters in Akure was dispatched to address the issue.”
Upon arrival, the operatives discovered over 120 cows grazing on the farmland, with no herders in sight. Determined to uphold the law, the officers began driving the cattle away from the crops. However, as they passed through the Sango Area in Igoba along Ado Road, they were ambushed by a group of armed herdsmen.
The attackers, wielding stones, bottles, cutlasses, and guns, launched a fierce assault on the security personnel. In the chaos, one officer, whose identity remains undisclosed, was reportedly hacked by the assailants.
The intensity of the attack forced the Amotekun operatives to retreat on command, seeking refuge on the main road as the barrage of projectiles continued.
“Despite the swift and aggressive nature of the attack, our officers managed to escape to the main road,” Adeniken noted. “The safety of our personnel is paramount, and a tactical retreat was necessary to prevent further injuries.”
This violent episode underscores the escalating tensions between herders and local farmers in Ondo State, a conflict that has prompted the enforcement of the anti-open grazing law. The law aims to regulate the movement of cattle and mitigate the frequent clashes that have devastated agricultural communities.
Local farmers expressed their frustration and fear in the wake of the attack. “We are living in constant fear,” one farmer lamented. “Our livelihoods are at risk, and we need the government to protect us.”
The Amotekun Corps has vowed to continue its efforts to enforce the law and safeguard the community, urging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.
The incident remains under investigation, as authorities seek to apprehend the perpetrators and restore peace to the troubled region.
