Ondo Govt, Police, Fault Casualty Figure In Attack On Four Communities

By Ayodele Oni

While the four communities ravaged by suspected Herdsmen in Ondo State are counting their loses, the State Government and Police Command are insisting that the incidents were blown out of proportion.

The affected communities are Aba Alajido, Aba Sunday, Aba Pastor and Ademekun Communities all in Akure North local government.

Report reveal that the suspected herdsmen have been attacking different communities and killing farmers unchallenged by security agents.

In their narrations, the communities stated that the attacks started on Friday night when everyone was asleep. “They opened fire at everyone at sight. So many ran to the bush for safety while some unlucky ones were killed at the villages . I am sure that over 40 people have been killed while many  sustained injuries.

“On Sunday, the security men came around and recovered some of the the corpses. Many are still not found, if they search further they will still find more dead bodies in the bush.”

The Regent of one of the affected communities, Ademekun Village, Princess Adelowo Adekemisola, revealed that more than 14 farmers lost their lives as the herdsmen infiltrated the areas and started shooting sporadically.

The Regent, when narrating her experience before the Ondo State Government representatives at a town hall meeting with cocoa farmers in Akure on Monday said that her community had been battling with the herdsmen problem without security actions.

But the State Government, apparently, while trying to downplay the incidents, insisted that report of Herdsmen attack in Ondo is False.

A statement signed by Senior Special Assistant to Ondo State Governor on Security Matters, Olugbenga Atiba, stated: “Our attention has been drawn to a malicious report being circulated by some section of the online media that armed herdsmen attacked communities in Ondo state and killed some farmers.

“We want to state categorically that this report is not only an absolute falsehood but an attempt by the sponsors of the fake news to create panic among the residents of the state.

“For the umpteenth time, we advise the purveyors of this hoax to desist from such an act that is capable of creating chaos, disunity and distrust between the people and the government.

“It is public knowledge that the government of Ondo state, efficiently-led by Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, prioritizes the security of lives and property of every resident of the state where they live, work and play.

“We, therefore, enjoin our people in the state to continue to go about their lawful businesses without fear, as the state government has created a peaceful and safe ambience for all and sundry.”

The State Command of the Nigeria Police, which is still battling with inadequate equipment, which has hindered performance, in its update on the incident said:

“The attention of the command has been drawn to a misleading report claiming that the police confirmed attacks on four communities in Ondo State and that twenty (20) farmers were killed

“For the record, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ala received information regarding an attack at Sunday Camp, a settlement along the boundary of Ondo and Edo States, on March 8, 2025.

“However, the Police Command never confirmed the killing of 20 farmers, as falsely reported.

“The Command is aware of the attack on Sunday Camp  and the Commissioner of Police, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi psc+, mnips, has directed that the ongoing covert operation being carried out across the state to rid the command of bad elements be intensified.

“The Command urges Journalists and Media outlets to verify information from official source before publication to prevent misinformation and unnecessary panic in the State.”