By Ahmed Ajikobi
Tension grew among the farmers of Egbejila,Isale-Odo in Obate Community, Ilorin, as the farmers, community members lament over the security lapses in the area.
It was gathered that masked armed men have made the area their den terrorizing the peace of the farmers and community members in that area.
The attack on the farmers and the community member by the unidentified men, was gathered to have started around May this year and it is gradually growing wings.
National Pilot learnt that, an attempted kidnapping had taken place in that area as the unknown armed men invaded the above mentioned community but fled to the bush when their mission failed.
Findings by National Pilot revealed that, the unknown armed men have severally attacked some of the farmers and inflicted some several injuries on them.
The latest incident happened on the 27th of October when three masked men with machetes launched an attack on one man, Wasiu Ajimati while on his motorcycle and they started cutting him with their machetes but he managed to escape the attack.
Speaking on the incident, the spokesperson for the Egbejila/Obate farmers, Aluko Samuel told our reporter that, the farmers are now living in fear since the incidents started.
He further that, the incidents occur strangely to him, adding that nobody among the farmers has experience such not until it started in May this year.
“On September 26th this year, unknown armed and masked men invaded the farm, they launched an attack in an attempt to kidnap a husband and wife who came to buy land in the farm.
“They ran for their dear lives, shouting for help. The husband ran away and the wife ran to their vehicle and locked herself their. It was their alarm that called our attention. They attempt to kidnap the wife. By the time we came out, they had ran away. That was how the couple escaped the kidnapping attempt.
“Another incident happened when another set of these unknown armed men launched an attack on one of the farmers, they wounded him but they later ran away when people came out from their various farms.
“Around May this year, we foiled another robbery attempt on our men as the unidentified men have turned our farm into their base of operation,” he said.
Aluko explained more that, the incident has been reported to Budo Nuhu Police Division, Airport area, Ilorin Command where it was later transferred to Police Headquarters where they promised to look into the situation.
“The latest attack was launched on member of the community going to his farm he noted on his motorcycle. The incident happened on 27th of October as unidentified masked men attack him with their machetes carting away his motorcycle. He was lucky to escape and later called his fellow to came to his rescue.
“We are still expecting the police role to be played in rescuing the current situation,” he noted.
Speaking with one of the victims, the farmer double as commercial motorcyclist Wasiu Ajimati told National Pilot that, his attackers were masked and they were armed with machetes.
“That very day, it was on the 27th of October, I was going to farm with my passenger and the suspects came out with machetes. They didn’t say a word they started hitting me with the machetes but I was lucky to escape as the cutlasses did not cut me.
“They made an attempt to chase me because I didn’t let go of my motorcycle as I continue riding but due to the bad road their I could not move faster. Luckily for me, one of the farmers driving down the road saw them started horning to raised alarm. That was how they ran back into the bush.
“I called my colleagues at our park to came to my rescue. They came and we search through the bush but since we could not find any of them.”
When our reporter visited Budo Nuhu Division Police station to confirm the claimed, it was however confirmed by a police source who spoke under anonymity.
“It was reported sometimes in October I couldn’t remember the actual date but they reported attack by unidentified armed men in that area. The matter has been transferred to police headquarters at the State CIID.”
When contacted, the state police command spokesperson SP Ajayi Okasanmi said that he is yet to be informed.
“I’m not aware but I will contact the police division to ask of the matter, we are going to investigate the matter and police patrol will be deployed into that area.”
