At least four farmers were in the early hours of Tuesday ambushed and killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Ala Elefosan, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The farmers were on their way to farms when the armed herders attacked them at the popular Thirteen-Thirteen settlement.

Aggrieved residents disclosed this on Tuesday during a protest at Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s office in Akure, the state capital. 

The latest killing came barely two weeks after five farmers were killed in Aba Oyinbo in the same LGA, forcing residents to storm the governor’s office with the corpses of the deceased in coffins. 

Angered by the latest killings, the protesting residents, mostly youths, took the corpses of the slain farmers to the governor’s office in Alagbaka, demanding an end to the incessant attacks by the suspected marauders. 

The protesters shut and barricaded the roundabout intersection that led to the governor’s office and the federal secretariat.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the traditional ruler of the community, Taiwo Samuel, lamented the inability of the state government to curb attacks on farmers. 

Mr Samuel asked the Mr Aiyedatiwa-led government to allow the residents to protect themselves against external attacks. 

“Three farmers were killed in the Thirteen camp in the Ajagbusi area of Ala Elefosan in Akure North Local Council. They were on their way to the farm this morning when the Fulani herdsmen attacked them and shot them. One person was also killed two days ago.

“We purposely brought their bodies to Alagbaka for everyone to see what we are facing and to prevent any form of denial, which we have experienced in the past.

“The killing of our people by these herdsmen is becoming too much. Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa promised us that the place would be fully secured after the last incident. With this latest development, the government must allow us to secure ourselves.

“It is disheartening that the government will continue to allow these killings to be going on. What we are certain about is that if we should defend ourselves and kill the attackers, we will be arrested and taken to Abuja,” he said. 

The monarch decried how the security challenges in the state had worsened under Mr Aiyedatiwa’s government, stressing that enough and end must be put to the “senseless killings.”

A state police spokesman, Alayande Olayinka, confirmed the attack, saying the tactical teams had been deployed to the area to restore normalcy.

He also vowed that the perpetrators would soon be arrested and brought to book. 

The state has witnessed disturbing kidnapping cases, with perpetrators demanding ransom.

Last month, Mr Aiyedatiwa assured that his administration was addressing the security breaches after meeting with security chiefs to curb insecurity. 

On Monday, the socio-political group, Afenifere, expressed concerns over the incessant kidnapping and attacks by herders in the South-West, challenging National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu to collaborate with the state governors in mapping our strategies to end the security challenges.