Fear grips Ogunmakin and surrounding communities in Oyo State as armed herdsmen invade farmlands, destroy crops, and instil terror, House of Representatives member Tolulope Akande-Sadipe has warned.
The lawmaker, who represents Oluyole Federal Constituency, raised an alarm in Abuja on Friday, revealing that heavily armed herdsmen have taken over the Gambari Reserve and nearby villages, wielding guns and cutlasses to intimidate helpless farmers.
Akande-Sadipe described the invasion as a growing humanitarian crisis that threatens lives, food security, and the region’s economy.
She lamented that despite multiple reports to law enforcement agencies, no decisive action has been taken, leaving farmers vulnerable to attacks.
“The failure to act swiftly has emboldened these armed groups, leading to increased violence, destruction of crops, and threats to lives and property,” she warned.
Recalling the swift intervention that resolved the Igangan crisis in 2021, Akande-Sadipe urged the federal government and security agencies to take immediate action before the situation spirals out of control.
She called for an urgent investigation into the attacks and demanded the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.
The lawmaker also appealed to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to provide immediate relief for affected farmers and conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the devastation in Ogunmakin and Gambari Reserve.
