Afenifere Raises Alarm Over Farmer Attacks in South-West

On Friday, Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, alerted the public about the increasing attacks and kidnappings of farmers in South-West Nigeria. In a statement by National Publicity Secretary Jare Ajayi in Ibadan, the organization noted numerous unreported incidents affecting farmers and citizens.

During visits to Oke-Ogun Area and northern Oyo and Ondo States, farmers expressed fears of kidnapping, falling prices due to middlemen, and grazing by herders as reasons for abandoning their farms. Recent incidents included the killing of a female farmer in Ondo State, the abduction of poultry farmer Ooreoluwa Osonuga in Ogun State, and the killings of four farmers in Oyo State.

Debo Farounbi was kidnapped on June 9, 2026, with abductors demanding N30 million and more. The All Farmers Association of Nigeria reported that persistent abductions have discouraged investment and reduced agricultural productivity across several states.

Prominent farmers like Eddy Olafeso cited insecurity as a primary reason for abandoning their farms, while Shitu Kabir noted a 70% drop in production of certain commodities.