society

Agony As widow Narrates How Herdsmen Killed her hubby, Overrun Ogun Communities

Published

5 years ago

February 18, 2021

AGONY and sorrow enveloped the Yewa axis of Ogun State as no fewer than 13 people were killed by hoodlums suspected to be Fulani herdsmen in different communities scattered across Yewaland in the last one week.

The gory incident started in Oha, Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State, as one Dele Olowoniyi was hacked to death by Fulani herdsmen in the mid-night of Saturday, 6th February, 2021 while receiving fresh air in front of his hut in a farm settlement located in Oha.

About two days later, two other persons were also killed in an ambush by people suspected to be herders at Owode-Ketu while going to market.

In Asa, three persons were killed, while four persons were killed at Ebute Igbooro and about nine other persons sustained varying degrees of injury from the mid-night attack.

At Agbon in Yewa North Local Government Area of the state, three farmers were killed in another attack by the herders.

In Agbon-Ojodu, Orile Igbooro, property including houses, cars and motorcycles were destroyed.

Speaking on the sad incident, the Village head (Baale) of Orile Igbooro, Tajudeen Akorede, said four members of the community lost their lives, including children, to the suspected herdsmen while nine others are still in the hospital receiving treatment from injuries.

He said the attackers came in the dead of the night when everybody was asleep. “No, we just heard sounds of gun in the dead of the night. We didn’t know what to do. We were perplexed.

“In my community, the herders set some houses, vehicles and motorcycles ablaze. We cannot go to our farms again.”

He appealed to government to station security operatives in Orile Igbooro to enable the villagers who fled in the wake of the invasion, to come back.

Narrating how her husband (Olowoniyi) was killed, the widow, Rasheedat Olowoniyi said she was peeping through the curtains inside their hut and watched in disbelief as herdsmen macheted her husband to death.

She said: “I could not shout or raise alarm in order not to attract attention of the killer herdsmen to myself and my son.”

“The herdsmen stormed the farm settlement with guns and cutlasses on motorcycles.

“The herdsmen were 18 in number and stormed the farm at about 12am with six motorcycles and started shooting indiscriminately when they got to the farm in order to scare the people.

“We had slept that day but my husband decided to sleep outside. My son and I slept in the room. I was inside when they killed him. They first started shooting; it was the gunshots that woke me up. I opened the curtains slightly and I saw them. They came in six motorcycles and three people were on each motorcycle.

“He was dragged on the floor. They beamed torchlight around to see if anybody was watching but I dodged behind the curtains. I watched as they took his phone and wallet and tied to his waist and ransacked his pocket for money. They spoke Fulfulde. That was what made me know that they are Fulani.”

Rashidat said that her late husband had about two months ago complained to the Fulani community after some cattle reportedly ate his farm crops. She, however, said the Fulani community apologised to him, unknown to them that they planned to attack him later.

“He challenged the Fulani on why they allowed their cattle to eat his crops. He told them that his farm was not in the bush. They begged him and everything was settled. That was about two months ago,” she said.

Speaking on the incesant killings in his constituency, member of Ogun State House of Assembly, representing Yewa II State Constituency, Wahab Haruna Abiodun Egungbohun berated the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, on how he has been handling the security of lives and property of the people.

The lawmaker said the senseless killing by the Fulani herdsmen in Yewa area of the state is becoming unbearable as people in his constituency can no longer sleep with their two eyes closed.

He said on Thursday, some communities in Yewa North, that included Owode Ketu, Ijoun, Eggua, Igan-Alade and Tata were reportedly ambushed by the herdsmen and killed two villagers.

“On Friday night again, heavily armed men entered Orile-Igbooro village in Yewa North and no fewer than four villagers were killed, some houses were also burnt down while many people were left with various degrees of injuries. It is clear that these herdsmen are behind the attacks.”

Ketu Constituency II has often witnessed violent attacks stemming from disputes between the herdsmen and the farmers.

“Security is said to be a right of every citizen but reverse is the case in Ketu. We are not treated with fairness. Our farmers can’t go to farm, we can’t sleep with eyes closed. The Governor should empower other security agencies now,” he lamented.

“It is sad that no single herder has been arrested since security agencies have been fighting insecurity in my Constituency.

“It is sad that our people in villages in this part of the state have not been able to sleep since last night. Villagers are now outside, setting up bonfire and ready to defend their village.”

Addressing residents of the affected communities, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Abdulwaheed Odusile, appealed to them not to take law into their hands, but to allow the security agencies and the traditional rulers handle the situation.

He called for peaceful co-existence among the indigenes and people from other ethnic groups living in the state.

The Information Commissioner appreciated the royal fathers in Yewaland for dousing the tension that arose as a result of the attack from the herdsmen, calling for the sharing of necessary information that would lead to the end of the crisis, as the state government was poised to finding a permanent solution to the crisis in the state.

Related Topics:Featured Lifestyle Society

Up Next

Mixed Reactions As Ted Cruz Flies To Cancun Amidst Crisis In Texas

Don't Miss

33 YEARS OF ROAD SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT IN NIGERIA, JOURNEY SO FAR

Sahara Weekly

Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact [email protected]

society

Lagos 2027: Obasa hosts Hamzat, Promises Support for Governorship Bid

Published

4 hours ago

April 23, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Lagos 2027: Obasa hosts Hamzat, Promises Support for Governorship Bid

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, on Thursday, played host to Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat at his official residence in GRA, Ikeja, promising to galvanise his expansive political structure to ensure Hamzat’s victory at the forthcoming governorship election.

Dr Hamzat is the presumptive APC candidate for the Lagos governorship seat, and the engagement was part of his ongoing strategic consultations with All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders and leaders.

Speaker Obasa extolled Hamzat’s pedigree, commitment to infrastructure development, and loyalty to the party, adding that for the continued development of Lagos State, every discerning electorate must rally round him.

“I just returned from Abuja, and the conversation remains the same – Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat is the next Governor of Lagos State. You have demonstrated unquestionable loyalty to our great party and even greater competence in serving Lagos. We love you, we support you, and we will do everything to ensure that we win the election,” Speaker Obasa declared.

Responding, Dr Hamzat expressed gratitude for the warm reception while highlighting Obasa’s legislative experience and political network, which he said are invaluable. He reiterated his focus on collaborative governance, saying, “Lagos is a collective project. My consultations are not about personal ambition but about ensuring continuity, innovation, and inclusive development for our people,” Hamzat said.

society

Police Repel Coordinated Kidnap Attack In Sokoto, Launch Manhunt

Published

9 hours ago

April 23, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Police Repel Coordinated Kidnap Attack In Sokoto, Launch Manhunt

Security operatives in Sokoto State have foiled a coordinated kidnapping attempt by armed bandits targeting two communities, killing one suspect and launching a manhunt for others who escaped with injuries.

According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Ahmad Rufa’i, the operation was carried out in the early hours of Thursday following a distress call received at about 12:30 a.m. reporting simultaneous attacks on Illela Village, also known as Achida Town, and Kwargaba Hamlet.

“The Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in collaboration with other tactical teams, responded swiftly to the distress call,” he said. “Our operatives, who were already on high alert, engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel and successfully repelled the attack.”

Rufa’i disclosed that the security forces overpowered the assailants after a prolonged exchange of gunfire, neutralising one suspect who was dressed in military camouflage, while others fled with gunshot wounds into the nearby Gundumi Forest.

“An intensive manhunt is ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects who escaped into the forest with varying degrees of injuries,” he added.

However, before the arrival of security personnel, the bandits reportedly shot and killed a member of the Kwargaba community vigilante group. His body has since been recovered and released to his family for burial.

The police spokesperson urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements or individuals to the nearest security agency, assuring that efforts are being intensified to ensure the safety of lives and property across the state.

society

The Kendrick Brothers, Cameron Arnett, Kingdom Story Company, Bright Wonder Obasi Train 60 Christian Filmmakers in Nigeria

Published

11 hours ago

April 23, 2026

Sahara Weekly

The Kendrick Brothers, Cameron Arnett, Kingdom Story Company, Bright Wonder Obasi Train 60 Christian Filmmakers in Nigeria

Abuja, Nigeria – April 23, 2026

Successful actors, producers and movie makers like; the Kendrick Brothers, Cameron Arnett, Kingdom Story Company, Bright Wonder Obasi were among the facilitators who trained 60 Christian Filmmakers in Nigeria at the just concluded Africa Gospel Film Project (AGFP) 2026.

The groundbreaking 6-day Intensive Filmmaking Masterclass and Spiritual Formation Program, were 60 emerging Christian filmmakers from Nigeria and Zambia were trained in Abuja was held at the Gospel Cinema International /High Definition Film Academy (HDFA) Facility in Gwarinpa.

The program brought together a distinguished lineup of facilitators from Nigeria and the United States, positioning AGFP as a leading platform for faith-based filmmaking development in Africa.

Among the international facilitators was Stephen Kendrick of the Kendrick Brothers, known for films such as The Forge, War Room, Facing the Giants, and Courageous, Overcomer, Fireproof, who delivered a powerful session titled “Heart of The Filmmaker.” Also featured was Cameron Arnett, who led sessions on “Christ Over Career” and acting for film.

Other notable speakers included Nick Carey (Kingdom Story Company), who spoke on “The Making of a Faith-Based Blockbuster Movie,” as well as Bob Saenz (Screenwriting Masterclass), Beverly Holloway (Acting Masterclass), David Cook, Adam Drake, Prince Daniel (Aboki), Lummie Adevbie, Chris Odeh, and Jennifer Keltner (Identity & Storytelling), among others.

The program opened with a strong spiritual foundation, including worship and a keynote by the Convener, Bright Wonder Obasi, titled “Calling & Identity: Film as Spiritual Influence/Programming,” which challenged participants to view storytelling as a tool for cultural and spiritual transformation.

Participants were grouped into four production studios—House of Gideon, House of Caleb, House of Joshua, and House of David—and underwent three days of intensive masterclasses and workshops across screenwriting, directing, cinematography, acting, editing, and producing, alongside deep spiritual formation.

On Day 4, teams developed and pitched short film concepts for professional review and approval. Day 5 was dedicated to full-scale production, with all four teams executing their projects under real industry conditions.

The program culminated on Day 6 with:

A Pitch-A-Thon, where 20 filmmakers presented original projects for funding and collaboration.

A public screening of four short films produced during the program

Professional feedback from a panel of judges.

Certification of all participants

Awards for best Screenplay, Cinematography, directing, editing, acting, and overall best short film.

The closing ceremony featured a powerful commissioning session led by Pastor Ikenna Okeke, where participants were prayed for and consecrated as “God’s Creative Army.”

Speaking after the event, the Convener, Bright Wonder Obasi, described AGFP 2026 as “a movement to raise storytellers who will shape culture and influence nations through truth-driven films.

Films that honor God”

With its successful debut, AGFP is now preparing for its next edition, following its mandate to train 300 Christian filmmakers across Africa and develop a slate of six global faith-based films over a three-year period.

The Africa Gospel Film Project continues to position itself as a catalyst for purpose-driven storytelling, industry excellence, and spiritual transformation in African cinema.