Daud Olatunji
A farmer identified as Mr Dada has been killed by suspected bandits while working on his farm in Oshokoshoko, Oworo, Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The incident, which reportedly occurred on Tuesday morning, has heightened fears among farmers and residents in the community, with calls for urgent deployment of security personnel to vulnerable farming areas.
Oshokoshoko is located along the Obajana–Kabba corridor, an important route linking several communities in Kogi State.
According to community sources, Dada had left for his farm in the morning but failed to return home as expected.
His family members reportedly became concerned after they could no longer reach him and subsequently began searching for him.
The search ended tragically when his relatives reportedly found his body on the farm.
A community source said the deceased was found with machete wounds, raising suspicion that he was attacked while carrying out his farming activities.
“He went to the farm in the morning as he normally did, but when he did not return, the family became worried,” the source said.
“They started looking for him and eventually traced him to the farm. That was where they found him dead with machete cuts on his body.”
The killing has reportedly sent a wave of fear through the farming community, where residents depend heavily on agriculture for their livelihoods.
A resident said farmers were increasingly becoming afraid of entering their farms, particularly those located far from major settlements.
“We are now very afraid to go to our farms because nobody knows who may be waiting there,” the resident said.
The development has also renewed concerns about the security of farming communities along the Obajana–Kabba corridor, particularly areas where farmers have to travel deep into the bush to cultivate their crops.
Residents said the situation could have serious implications for agricultural activities if farmers become reluctant to access their farms because of fears of attack.
They appealed to the Kogi State Government and security agencies to increase patrols, intelligence gathering and surveillance around farming settlements and access routes.
“We need security agencies to come to these communities and farms. If nothing is done, more farmers could be attacked,” another community source said.
The latest killing comes amid continuing concerns over attacks on rural communities and the safety of farmers in parts of the country.
For residents of Oshokoshoko and surrounding communities, the immediate concern is preventing another attack and restoring confidence among farmers who must enter isolated farmlands to produce food.
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