A farmer, Dele Olowoniyi, was reportedly slaughtered while asleep on his farmland in Imeko, Imeko Afon Local Government Area of Ogun state.
According to sources, the farmer’s wife found him with machete cuts on his neck and other parts of the body.
It was alleged that unidentified Fulani herdsmen had stormed the village in the midnight with guns and cutlass, killing Olowoniyi on his farm settlement.
“They (killers) stormed the village during the midnight with guns and cutlass. They were shooting sporadically, destroying all their properties, and even destroyed all their farms.
“Dele Olowoniyi was slaughtered by the Fulani herdsmen killers at Oha village, imeko, in imeko-Afon . After killing him, they left for Iwoye Ketu,” the source alleged.
Perpetrators unknown
The Police Spokesman in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident happened on Sunday, but said there was no evidence to show that the perpetrators were herdsmen.
“The place is a farm settlement. There is only one building there. The man lived with his wife there.
“We were told that he complained of heat and went out to sleep in the night while he left his wife in the building, but, in the morning, he was found dead.
“Nobody can point at his killers, we cannot confirm yet whether the killers are Fulani herdsmen or not. We are still investigating.”
Oyeyemi, however, said the corpse had been released to the family members who opposed keeping the body for an autopsy.
Condemnation
Meanwhile, a three-time governorship candidate in the state, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (GNI), has condemned the attack, describing it as evil, barbaric and violation of the sanctity of human lives.
Isiaka, who hails from the local government, called on the Police to urgently probe the attack, just as he called on the Federal Government to stem the tide of “barbaric attacks in the state.”
He said, “I am traumatised by this gruesome and inhuman act that has left myself, the communities and well-meaning Nigerians devastated.
“Those who perpetrated this evil are not only enemies of Imeko-Afon, but enemies of Nigeria and humanity.
“This has continued unabated for too long and it is clear something must be done to halt the endless killing of our people.
“We have had enough of these wanton killings all over the country. Now they have gained entrance into yorubaland and now hitting on our people in Yewaland.
“Our people should not be left to protect themselves when we have security agents. At no point should our people’s safety be under any form of constant threat.”
Isiaka condoled with the family of the slain Olowoniyi and prayed God grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.
