Fulani herders attack women farmers in Ekiti

Police confirm incident

Gunmen, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, yesterday attacked three women farmers at Irele-Ekiti in Ikole Local Council of the state for refusing rape.

The gunmen, who were said to be six in number, allegedly stormed the farm settlement in the early hours of yesterday and viciously attacked their victims, making them sustain life-threatening injuries.

A source said the victims had been taken to Ikole General Hospital for treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

According to the source, the herdsmen had demanded money from their victims but were furious after the women failed to give them the money required and prevented attempts to rape them.

“The women were unable to meet up with the demand as they said they were only with just N200. The herdsmen collected all the money found on them and made attempt to forcefully sleep with the women. The refusal of the women to grant their demand for such immoral act led to the brutal attack before they fled the scene,” the source said.

MEANWHILE, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Sunday Abutu, has confirmed the attack, saying investigations have begun in a bid to arrest the perpetrators.

He said: “Yes, we got the report this morning that three persons were attacked and I can tell you that they are responding to treatment in the hospital.

“We have commenced investigation into the attack and the criminals will soon be arrested.”

He, therefore, urged residents of the community to support the police with information that would help in arresting the attackers.