Ogun Farmers Protest Against Herders Destroying Their Farms

Farmers from 10 communities in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area, Ogun State, protested on Monday. Communities like Ogunmakin, Ayegunle, Aluoge, Showunmi, Yakoyo, Lemomu, and Beere joined in. They complained about what they called the "devastating destruction" of their farms by suspected herders.

The farmers claimed they have lost over N100 million in the last 10 years. This loss is due to herders who frequently let their cattle graze on their farms. The crops affected include cassava, maize, sugarcane, potatoes, and plantains.

They said the herders' actions threaten the government's plans to boost food production. It also poses risks to the safety of people living in these communities. Many farmers are afraid to work because of the intimidation, harassment, and attacks by the herders.

The farmers said they have held several meetings with the herder leaders, but nothing has changed. They warned that if President Bola Tinubu and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun do not step in soon, it could lead to another avoidable clash between farmers and herders.

During the protest, the farmers carried placards with messages like “Gov Dapo Abiodun, save us from the herders destroying our farms,” “President Bola Tinubu, rescue us from the herders,” and “We beg IGP Tunji Disu, DSS, to come to our aid.”

Mr Muritala Saka spoke with journalists at the protest in Ogunmakin. He said, “The herders are nothing but an absolute thorn in the flesh of the farmers. They will bring their cows and graze on whatever we planted, be it maize, potato, plantains, or cassava.

“We have reported them to the security agencies several times, but this has not brought a stop to their actions. It is like these herders are intentionally destroying our farms to send us packing from our communities.

“Some of us are now in debt because we can’t pay back what we borrowed to invest in our farming. We call on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Dapo Abiodun to please come around and help us before it gets too late. We don’t want a herders' and farmers' crisis in our communities. The herders should vacate our communities.”

Mr Jimoh Oduntan also spoke at the event. He described the herders' actions as “pure evil and an act of wickedness.” Oduntan said, “These herders are like a bone stuck in our throats, causing us so much anguish and pain. The government encourages us to farm, but these herders make our efforts in vain.

“Our losses are huge each time they bring their cows to graze in our farms. We have tried to make them see reason to stop their terrible act, but they have continued to inflict unbearable pain and destroy our means of livelihood. We beg Governor Abiodun and President Tinubu to please rescue our people from these herders.”

Another farmer, Mr Kunmi Adekunle, also complained. He said despite reporting the herders to the police many times, the herders still let their animals eat the crops. Adekunle said, “We have been on this for some time. We have reported the herders to the police, but they have refused to heed our plea.

“Yet these same people also have their farms where they planted sugarcane and potatoes. You will never see their animals eating what they planted, but they are always quick to let their animals feed on what we planted.

“We don’t want to confront the herders. That is why we are protesting to call for the Ogun State and federal governments to intervene. We want the herders to leave our farms. They can’t continue to destroy our means of survival too. We are fed up.”

Protester Sunday Balo also shared his worries. He alleged that his wife was nearly raped by some herders and said he reported it to the police. Balo said, “We are not happy that the herders are destroying our farms. I borrowed N1 million and invested in my farm, but I have nothing to show for it because the herders brought their cows to eat what we planted.

“Last year, they nearly raped my wife. They attacked her with a cutlass, and we reported this to the police in Ogunmakin. Our wives can no longer go to the farm; nobody is safe. We are begging the government to please help us. The suffering is too much.