Palpable fear has gripped residents of Oke Aro community of Ondo State, following a series of attacks on the area by suspected herdsmen.
It was learnt that the pastoralists first struck in the community on August 10, 2021, and have subsequently attacked residents of the community.
The fear being nursed by the residents came as a farmer Unaha Enesi was allegedly killed in Ago Panu along Owo -Ikare road in Ondo state by yet to be identified assailants while working in his farm.
When the herders first struck in the community, no fewer than six households on Familusi street, were attacked,with the apartment of one Adekanle Oluwatunmise,who they alleged to have been opposing their activities in the community,seriously destroyed.
Oluwatunmise’s wife Mary, his two daughters, Evelyn and Victoria were not spared by the rampaging herders, who used guns and other dangerous weapons, freely, while those attacked have since fled their homes.
Sources said the itinerant herders have remained resolute in their plans, to continue to create tension in the area, with their illicit destruction of crops on farmlands belonging to residents.
A chieftain of Oke Aro Community Development Association, who craved anonymity , at a meeting held in the community described the attacks by the herders as dastardly acts of terrorism.
He explained that ‘’the herdsmen and their cattle were first sighted on our farmlands on the 10th of August last year, where they destroyed hectares of land, planted with arable and tree crops.
“The development has made us, foreigners in our own land as our people are now relocating from their communities for the safety of their lives.’’
He added: ‘’Three residents of Oke Aro community, namely Ikumapayi Sayo, Adekanle Oluwatunmise and Tolani Joseph are currently on the waiting list of the herders, for allegedly reporting their escapade to the community, for action.
