Our Livelihoods Are Gone And The Silence Is Killing Us': Ogun Farmers Cry Out -

 'Our Livelihoods Are Gone And The Silence Is Killing Us': Ogun Farmers Cry Out Over Destruction Of Crops By Herders

Farmers in Ogun State have raised the alarm over persistent attacks on their farmlands by herders, calling on the state government to intervene as their livelihoods continue to come under threat.

The farmers, who spoke with SaharaReporters, lamented that they have suffered huge financial and emotional losses despite the resources and effort invested in cultivating their lands.

At Arugbokosun village in Odeda Local Government Area, the situation has become particularly dire. Farmers there said herders repeatedly lead their cattle into farmlands, destroying crops at will.

One farmer, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, described the situation as unbearable.

"We have made efforts to cry out, but the situation continues. Just on Wednesday, the herders led their cows to farms in the village and ate crops there," he said.

"When they got to the farm of a man whom we will simply identify as Ogunrombi, we mobilised and caught some cows that were yet to leave, feasting on the crops."

"You can imagine what happens after you cultivate your lands and plant crops, nurture them to grow, and when you start having hopes, these herders destroy everything," he added.

Another farmer, Olugbenga Toki, recounted how cows allegedly led by herdsmen invaded his one-acre farm in Arugbokosun village near Idera, wiping out all the maize he had planted.

"I planted the maize in April. I spent over N100,000 on seedlings and land preparation alone. I even paid people to help me. In the second week of May, I went to the farm early in the morning to do some weeding and returned later in the evening. What I met was heartbreaking—everything had been eaten up," the farmer said.

He continued, visibly distressed, "When we got there, cow dung was everywhere. It was painful—imagine all the effort, all the sweat, just gone like that."

Residents told SaharaReporters that these invasions are not isolated incidents. They accuse the herders of carrying out the attacks with impunity.

“People have suffered so much,” Olugbenga said. “The herders usually come in the afternoon when farmers are away. By the time anyone returns, the damage is already done.”

Fear has now driven him away from his farmland.

"My family doesn't want me to go back. They’re scared. We don’t know when the herders will come again, and I’m losing hope. Bushes are already taking over the farm. I just feel discouraged. If I lose my life on that land, what will it all mean?” he said.

He appealed to the Ogun State government to act swiftly.

"We can’t produce food if our lives are at risk. Cows have taken over our only means of survival, and nothing is being done. People are even afraid to report. If you talk, the herders might come back in greater numbers and destroy even more," he added.

Biodun, another farmer with a cassava farm near Mile 6 along Ajebo Road, shared a similar ordeal.

"In June, herders came and ate all my cassava. I had already spent so much planting and nurturing them, only for everything to be destroyed overnight," he said.

"They had come once before and carried out the same destruction, this time makes it the second time that they have destroyed my crops, that's after spending heavily," he said.

These incidents are part of a recurring crisis. In January, women from the Araromi-Ibese community in Yewa North Local Government Area publicly appealed to the state government and security agencies after repeated farm invasions left them feeling unsafe.

In August 2024, a clash between local hunters and herders in Iwoye-Ketu, Imeko-Afon LGA, led to the death of one person.

Despite repeated assurances by government officials, residents insist that nothing concrete has been done to protect them.

"The silence is killing us more than the cows," one resident said. "We’re crying out, but no one seems to be listening."

Responding, Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, stressed that the state would not tolerate such acts any longer.

“The Government of Ogun State has observed cases of obstruction of traffic, invasion of people’s farmlands, and destruction of crops across this state. This is a violation of existing law and will not be tolerated a minute longer.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Animal Grazing Regulation and Cattle Ranch Establishment Law prescribed a jail term of not less than three years without the option of fine, including the forfeiture of the herds of cattle or livestock under his/her control to the State Government for anyone who rears, herd or grazes any livestock in any part of the State except within the permitted ranches or anyone who rears cattle or livestock outside the permitted ranches after the commencement of the law."