One killed, many injured as herdsmen invade Ekiti community

A faceoff between herdsmen and farmers in Oke-Ako Ekiti, a community in Ikole LG of Ekiti state has led to the death of one youth, with several other villagers hospitalised as a result of injuries sustained.

The youth simply known as Lekan was shot dead, with many other receiving knife and gunshot wounds from the herdsmen who invaded the community, in retaliation for one of their cows that was killed.

Olomi, another victim is said to be in critical condition and undergoing surgery to his intestine and bowels, while doctor are battling to save the life of another victim with bullets in his head.

Seke, a popular trader in the community reportedly had her hands chopped off.

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Reports say trouble started when farmers confronted the farmers to tell them to stop bringing their cows into villagers’ farms as this has led to the destruction of their crops.

The herdsmen were said to have ignored the calls, as their cows continued to graze on the farms, leading the farmers to attack the cows, causing the death of one cow.

In retaliation, the herdsmen were said to have returned about a week later, in vengeance attacking people in the community.

Already, residents of the area are said to have begun moving out, as the herdsmen promised to come back for a mother of all attack which they will carry out from house to house.

A former speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Dele Olugbemi who is an indigene of the village was said to have led the first rescue team of policemen to the village about an hour after the attack took place.

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