UBA OKA AKOKA, Nigeria — A 36-year-old farmer, identified as Sunday Ayeni, was found dead on his farm in Uba Oka Akoko, Ondo State, on Sunday, August 11, 2024. The gruesome discovery came just days after Ayeni had received compensation from Fulani herdsmen for the destruction of his crops by their cattle.
Ayeni’s body was discovered with severe machete wounds across various parts of his body, including a deep gash in his stomach, leaving his intestines exposed.
His dog, which had accompanied him to the farm, was also found dead beside him. Both bodies were found in a pool of blood, a cutlass lying near them.
According to local sources, the tragedy unfolded shortly after Ayeni’s confrontation with herdsmen who had allowed their cattle to graze on his farm, leading to significant crop damage.
The situation escalated last week when the farmer’s crops were ravaged, prompting an intervention by security agents and community elders.
The intervention led to a settlement in which the herders were compelled to compensate Ayeni with an undisclosed sum for the damage done to his crops.
Despite this, the farmer’s life was tragically cut short after he returned to his farm on Saturday and failed to return home that evening.
Concerned neighbours initiated a search the following day, leading to the grim discovery of Ayeni and his dog.
Community leader Pius Imoru expressed deep concern over the incident, stating that the entire community is now living in fear.
“We are all scared of going to our farms,” he said, calling on security operatives to investigate the situation thoroughly.
The motive behind Ayeni’s murder remains unclear, but local sources suspect that dissatisfaction with the compensation settlement may have played a role in the violent act.
As of now, authorities have not released an official statement regarding the incident, and investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
This tragic event underscores the ongoing tensions between farmers and herdsmen in Nigeria, a conflict that has resulted in numerous casualties and widespread fear in affected communities.
