The Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has assured residents of adequate security following the weekend brutal attacks on Alajido and Sunday Camp farm settlements in Akure North Local Government Area of the state.
Aiyedatiwa, who made the promise during an on-the-spot assessment of the affected communities, equally assured residents of immediate security measures to ameliorate their plights.
Represented by the Commander of the State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, the governor lamented the extent of the carnage.
“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 a very unfortunate situation, and we pray such an incident never happens again,” he assured.
The governor urged residents to return to their homes and farms, assuring them that their security would be guaranteed.
The attacked communities visited include Alajido and Sunday Camp, where it was reported that nine lives were lost.
Responding, the Regent of Ademekun community, Princess Adelowo Adekemisola, recounted the ordeals of the farmers.
“Immediately I was informed, I quickly called the attention of all security agencies and the government.
“I want to thank the government for their immediate response and the impact we felt,” the traditional ruler said.
One of the survivors, a 35-year-old farmer, Samson Joro from Taraba State, 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,” he said.
Recalling the horrific night, he continued, “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.”
While the state government has deployed security forces to the affected communities, residents continue to demand for justice.
The villages toured include Ala, Dada, Igbodudu, Powerline, Agbo, Oyinbo, Eyin Ala, Aboro, Sunday Camp, Fatai Camp, Allison, Gbere Awo, Gbuwe, and Igbon Moon, all in Akure North Local Government Area.
