Ogun farmer arrested for attacking herdsman, injuring cow

A farmer, Ismail Apitipiti, from Odeda, Ogun State, has been arrested by the Ogun State Police Command for allegedly attacking a herdsman and injuring one of his cattle.

The command’s spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, informed PUNCH Metro on Sunday that the incident took place on January 10, 2025, at Apitipiti Village in the Odeda area of Ogun State.

According to a report filed at the Odeda Police Station by the cattle owner, Abdullahi Abubakar, on January 11, 2025, and made available to PUNCH Metro on Sunday, a cattle rearer named Usman Mohammed was reportedly grazing the herd when he was allegedly attacked by 30-year-old Ismail Apitipiti.

The command stated that the victim allegedly fled for his life after the suspect reportedly became violent without any provocation.

Upon returning to check on the cattle, the police said the herdsman discovered that one of the cows had been injured, with a deep machete cut near its tail.

Odutola stated that the cow, valued at approximately N1m, was left incapacitated and is currently receiving treatment from a veterinary doctor.

Odutola said, “To prevent any retaliatory action, detectives were promptly dispatched to the village, where they successfully tracked down and arrested the suspect. The crime scene and the location where the injured cow is being treated were visited, and photographs were taken as part of the investigation.

“The suspect confessed to the crime during interrogation and is now in police custody. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, and further updates will be provided as the case develops.”

PUNCH Metro reports that this incident marks the latest clash between farmers and herders in Odeda Local Government, disrupting years of relative peace in the area.

A similar incident almost occurred in 2021 in Olokemeji village, forcing residents to flee their homes out of fear of an attack by suspected herdsmen. This followed allegations that a resident of the village was killed by herdsmen during an argument.

The villagers had detained a herdsman after his cattle destroyed their farmland. In response, the herdsman reportedly called his colleagues, who allegedly invaded the village and killed a resident.