IBADAN – The recurring attacks on farmers and their farms in the South West region of the country by herdsmen has raised its ugly head again when they visited Daniel Anavhe’s farm for a second time in Owode area of Ogun State, destroyed his farm and killed one of his workers.
Their first visit was in April this year, when they ravaged the farm and kidnapped his son, Okhai Anavhe, alleging that the herdsmen collected ransom before the release of his son.
The menace of kidnapping and violence is becoming alarming on a daily basis in Nigeria, which the government appears to be helpless and people live in fear and anguish.
Speaking with journalists on Thursday, Anavhe whose farm was attacked by suspected herdsmen for a second time and who lost one of his workers in the attack said he was devastated.
“My farm was overrun by suspected Fulani herdsmen and in the process, one of my farm workers was killed. This is a second time my farm would be attacked by these notorious herdsmen. During the first attack, my son was kidnapped and I had to pay a huge ransom before he was released.
“I have been embroiled in heated battles with the Fulani herdsmen who always bring down the fence of my farmland and forcefully bring their cows to graze there,” Anavhe said.
Daniel Anavhe who said he fled the farm following threats on his life by the herdsmen stated that the latest attack was last week when the hoodlums set his farm ablaze and severely injured the security guard in the farm.
He said he started the farm about three years ago and was already trying to recoup his investment when the herdsmen attacked his farm and through their action, many of his customers who witnessed the first attack and escaped are no longer interested in coming back for business.
He said he had to involve the security personnel, especially the Police, which led to the arrest of some of the suspects.
“The last petition I wrote led to the arrest of some of the herdsmen when they encroached into my land again and the youth of my area seeing that the Police had arrested them decided to celebrate the arrest and some of the herdsmen’s cows got missing in the process, and this worsened the situation,” he explained.
He said with the arrest, their members have resorted to threats to kill him anywhere they can find him, hence he had to run for safety.
Anavhe pleaded with both the federal and state governments to address the menace of herdsmen attacks.
He said it is worrisome that recurring attacks by the Fulani herdsmen have claimed many lives, mostly farmers and governments seem helpless.
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