Fears have gripped residents of the sleepy town of Afin Akoko in the Akoko Northwest Local Government Area of Ondo State after “strange insects” invaded their homes.  

The People’s Gazette gathered on Wednesday that the insects, which were in large numbers, threaten livelihoods of the residents. 

Many of the residents who are mostly farmers now abandon their houses and farmlands to avoid being stung by the insects.

Video footage on social media showed residents lamenting and filming the insects.

A resident and farmer in the town, Abu Balogun, told Peoples Gazette that the offensive odour emitted by the insects might lead to infection if the situation was not tackled. .

“Several attempts to kill the insects by using hot water and Gammalin 20 have not been successful. We advise our people to be careful now. As of now, people are unable to prepare food or eat in open places for fear of contamination. It’s a tough one for us right now. We need help,” Mr Balogun said.

Speaking on the issue, the monarch of the town, Abduraheem Mustapha Adejoro, said the “situation in the town was terrible.”  

Mr Adejoro said the development was discussed during the Oba-in-Council meeting on Monday, noting that it was becoming an emergency in the town. 

He, however, appealed to the relevant government health agencies to visit Afin Akoko and take necessary action. 

“Please, people are worried about this ugly development. We need help as I speak with you right,” he said. 

Contacted, the state Commissioner for Health, Banji Ajaka, said that the government was on top of the situation since it heard about the strange insects. 

Mr Ajaka added that his ministry was already partnering with his counterpart in the Ministry of Environment to avoid any outbreak of diseases caused by the insects.

“We have our surveillance officers who are on top of the situation and currently investigating the development in Afin Akoko. We are making sure that this situation does not lead to an outbreak of disease too and with our partnership with the ministry of environment,” Mr Ajaka stated.