Suspected herdsmen have again attacked the residents of Ago-Oyinbo at Ala forest reserve in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo, Peoples Gazette just learnt.

It was gathered, on Monday, that the herders who came in large numbers injured no fewer than eight residents, who are mostly farmers. 

A spokesperson for the local community, Samuel Olowolafe, told The Gazette that the marauders, who came in the middle of the night, wreaked havoc on the people without any challenge. 

Mr Olowolafe said the herders who came battle ready looted their properties including foodstuffs, adding that the suspects had been planning to take over the local communities. 

“They (herders) came with their guns and other dangerous weapons to attack us at midnight and carted away our properties like phones, foodstuffs among others. And at least eight people are currently injured and nursing wounds as I speak. 

“They perpetuate their devil act in the midnight, carting away our foods, destroying our farm products, and even machete people to the extent that they would land in the hospital,” he said in a brief telephone chat with our reporter. 

The Gazette reports that it will be the second time the herders would be launching an attack on the agrarian community. 

In March, suspected herders attacked the farmers in the local community for refusing to allow their cattle to graze on their farmlands. 

The situation forced many of the residents to flee the community to nearby towns and villages. 

Speaking further, Mr Olowolafe said the community had been under constant attacks at the hands of the herders, who always disguised themselves with their cattle while entering the community. 

He revealed that many of the residents had lost their loved ones and properties worth millions to the brutal attacks in the hands of the invaders.

He particularly asked governor Rotimi Akeredolu to urgently come to the aid of the community over the fresh attacks on the local residents. 

“So, what really happened to us at the weekend was that these Fulani herdsmen wanted to take over our farm land. 

“And we are calling on the state government and the security agencies to please come to our aid. Our life is in danger at Powerline and Ago-Oyinbo at Ala Forest Reserve,” Mr Olowolafe added. 

The Gazette further gathered that the injured residents are currently receiving treatment at the facility of a private hospital in Akure.

Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, promised to get back to our reporter when contacted for a reaction.