The Amotekun Corps in Ondo State has deployed its officers to farm settlements and communities in the Akure North Local Government of the state to flush out bandits terrorising farmers. 

The development followed heightened security situation in the state particularly the incessant kidnapping and latest killing of 14 settlers by bandits in the Aba Alajido, Aba Sunday, Aba Pastor, and Ademekun communities, which are predominantly occupied by farmers.

The Akure North LGA, where the local airport is located has been under the siege of gunmen and bandits abducting at will.  

Speaking on Thursday during a visit to the affected communities where the bandits operate, the state commander of Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, expressed sadness over the killings of farmers. 

Mr Adeleye, who also commiserated with families of the victims over their losses, said that the bandits’’ days were numbered inside the forest where they were currently seeking refuge. 

He said the government under the watch of governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa would not rest in securing the lives of the people, adding that a marching order had been given to the security outfit to apprehend the marauders. 

“On behalf of the good people of Ondo State, I commiserate with the affected families. We assure residents and farmers that now that the government is here.

We will secure the area and bring the culprits to justice. It is an unfortunate situation, and we pray such an incident never happens again,” Mr Adeleye said. 

Assuring that no attack would occur in the state again without resistance, the Amotekun Corps commander said heads of security chiefs in the state had been mandated to secure lives and property of the people.  

He pleaded with the farmers to return to their settlements and farms, noting that their security was now guaranteed. 

Speaking on behalf of the affected communities, the Regent of Adamekun settlement, Adelowo Adekemisola, said that the farmers had nowhere to go and urged the government not to abandon them. 

Adekemisola, however, appreciated Mr Aiyedatiwa and the Amotekun Corps for coming to their rescue by ensuring security protection for them in the settlements in Akure North LGA. 

“Immediately I was informed, I quickly called the attention of security agencies and the government. I want to thank the government for their immediate response and the impact we felt,” she said. 

One of the survivors of the attack, a 35-year-old farmer, Samson Joro, who was born on the farmland, expressed despair over the attack.

“My family and I have nowhere else to go. We really don’t know what happened that day or why they attacked us,” Mr Joro said. 

Recalling the night, he said “At about midnight, we heard gunshots. At first, they were distant, but soon they came closer. Before we realised what was happening, they were here. I heard my neighbour and his wife screaming. It was the herdsmen. By the time they left, we counted nine bodies, including a man and his child.”

Parts of the farm settlements visited by the Amotekun Corps were Ala, Dada, Igbodudu, Powerline, Agbo, Oyinbo, Eyin Ala, Aboro, Sunday Camp, Fatai Camp, Allison, Gbere Awo, Gbuwe, and Igbon Moon.

Others included Ago Ajanaku, Igbatoro, Familugba, Ute, Argentina, Imoru, Ifon within Ose, and Owo LGA to assure the settlers of their safety and security.

The fresh killing has again reignited concerns over farmer-herder conflicts, with calls for stricter security measures to prevent further bloodshed.