Palpable tension has gripped Arigidi-Akoko in Akoko Northwest Local Government area of Ondo State following the killing of a herdsman by a farmer; Bayode Ajayi in his farm in the rustic community.

Ajayi was said to have killed one herdsman, Abubakar Alidu on Saturday during a disagreement between the farmer and some herdsmen.

The people of the town, according to sources, are afraid that Fulani herdsmen could come for a reprisal attack on the town following the killing of their kinsman.

Promptly, the men of the police command arrested Ajayi for allegedly killing the herdsman in his farm.

Narrating the killing took place, a source said a fight occurred between some Fulani herdsmen and the suspect as their cows allegedly destroyed the plants on the suspect’s farm.

The source told reporters that ” A hot argument ensued between them on the farm, this led to a fight and the deceased and his colleagues attacked the farmer with machetes. To defend himself, he (suspect) brought out his gun and shot the herdsman.”

But the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Femi Joseph said, Ajayi who is currently receiving treatment at the state hospital Ikare Akoko, would be charged to court for murder.

He said investigation had revealed that the suspect allegedly killed the Fulani herdsman, adding that Bayode too had confessed to have committed the offence.

His words ” He (suspect) told us that the deceased beat him with a stick while he was complaining to the herdsmen that they had destroyed the crops on his farm.

” He also told us that he did not intend to kill the deceased, that he brought out the gun to scare the Fulani man and his friend but the bullet mistaken hit and killed the deceased.

” So this is a pure case of murder. Even if the deceased had used a stick to beat him, he doesn’t mean he too should kill him. ”

Joseph also stated that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Gbenga Adeyanju has ordered that the case should be transferred to the Criminal Investigative Department of the command, adding that the suspect would be charged to court as soon as he left the hospital. (New Telegraph)

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