…warns of impending food shortage

By Fatima Muraina

The Ondo State Agricultural Commodity Associations (OSACA), has raised the alarm over  persistent attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen, describing the security threats faced by farmers across the state as deeply alarming.

The association’s state chairman, Chief Abiodun Adejo, made this assertions following an emergency meeting convened by farmers to address the worsening crisis.

According to him, the situation has taken a terrifying turn in recent days, with multiple cases of kidnapping reported in farming communities such as Oluyi Farms, Airport Road, Ago Oyinbo, Power Line, Oko-Ogbe, Ilu Abo, and Eleyewo, all in Akure North Local Government Area.

He lamented there devastating consequences of these attacks, which have led to multiple deaths, the destruction of farmland, and a mass exodus of farmers abandoning their lands out of fear.

The farmers’ leader issued a desperate plea to security agencies, including the Civil Defence, the military, and the DSS, to intervene urgently, rescue those abducted, and ensure that the bodies of the slain are returned to their grieving families.

The association also implored the state government to step up its security measures, advocating for the deployment of surveillance drones to safeguard farmers’ lives and livelihoods.

He stressed that the people of Ondo State must not turn a blind eye to the escalating threats, as the crisis poses a grave danger to all.

Emphasising the need for immediate action, he called for local vigilante groups to work hand in hand with existing security forces to curb the menace.

“We shall continue to monitor the situation daily as it affects all our farmers,” he assured.

He  called for the swift enforcement of the already enacted law banning open grazing, warning that the looming food crisis could spiral out of control if urgent steps were not taken to halt the worsening attacks on farmers.