The Ondo State Police Command on Tuesday confirmed the killing of a farmer following an attack by suspected gunmen along Agunla Farm Road in Ayede-Ogbese, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, told journalists that the incident was reported at about 9:30 p.m. on Monday by a concerned resident.
According to him, preliminary findings indicate that the deceased, identified as Ben Daniels, and another farmer, James Unekwu, were travelling on a motorcycle to their farm camp when they were ambushed by unidentified assailants.
Jimoh stated that while Unekwu managed to escape from the attackers, Daniels was shot and his lifeless body abandoned by the roadside.
He said police operatives swiftly moved to the scene, recovered the corpse and deposited it at a mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
“Unekwu is presently in protective custody as tension mounts over suspicions of possible conspiracy, while investigations are ongoing,” the police spokesman added.
The command appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid actions capable of disrupting public order, warning against blocking highways or engaging in activities that could infringe on the rights of other road users.
Jimoh assured that the grievances of aggrieved persons would be addressed through lawful means, stressing that efforts were underway to track down and prosecute those responsible for the attack.
He added that the Commissioner of Police reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling criminality across the state and urged residents to go about their lawful activities without fear.
Meanwhile, youths in Ayede-Ogbese community on Tuesday barricaded the Akure/Owo highway in protest against recurring killings in the area, grounding vehicular movement for hours before normalcy was gradually restored.