Farmers from at least 10 communities in Ogun State’s Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area have taken to the streets to protest the alleged destruction of their farmlands by suspected herders.
The affected communities, including Ogunmakin, Ayegunle, Aluoge, Showunmi, Yakoyo, Lemomu, and Beere, accused herders of repeatedly allowing cattle to graze on their farms, resulting in significant economic losses estimated at over ₦100 million within the last decade.
According to the protesting farmers, crops such as cassava, maize, sugarcane, potatoes, and plantains have been severely damaged, threatening their livelihoods and undermining efforts to improve food production in the state.
The protesters also expressed concerns about growing insecurity in their communities, alleging that many farmers have abandoned their farms due to fear of harassment, intimidation, and attacks.
Carrying placards with messages such as “President Bola Tinubu, rescue us from the herders” and “Governor Dapo Abiodun, save us from the herders destroying our farms,” the demonstrators called for immediate intervention from both the state and federal governments.
Speaking during the protest, one of the farmers, Muritala Saka, described the situation as unbearable, claiming that repeated complaints to security agencies had failed to produce lasting solutions.
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He alleged that herders deliberately allow their cattle to destroy cultivated crops, leaving many farmers in debt and forcing some to reconsider continuing their farming activities.
Another farmer, Jimoh Oduntan, described the destruction as an act of wickedness, noting that government campaigns encouraging citizens to return to farming would have little impact if farmers remained unprotected.
“We are trying our best to support food production, but our efforts are becoming meaningless because our farms are constantly being destroyed,” he said.
Kunmi Adekunle also criticized the alleged lack of action despite several reports to the police. He noted that while the herders protect their own farms from cattle, they continue to allow their animals to destroy other people’s crops.
The protesters insisted that they were seeking a peaceful resolution and warned that continued inaction could escalate tensions and trigger another farmers-herders conflict.
One of the protesters, Sunday Balo, alleged that his wife was nearly raped during an encounter involving some of the herders. He further claimed that she was attacked with a cutlass and that the incident was reported to the police.
The farmers appealed to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Dapo Abiodun, security agencies, and relevant authorities to take urgent action to restore peace, protect farmlands, and safeguard residents in the affected communities.
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