Oyo farmers’ association has demanded a compensation of N40 billion from the federal government over several herders attacks.
This is coming as the nation’s farmers’ associations estimated their losses at N284 billion and want the federal government to pay them.
In a report by The Nation, Farmers’ associations in Anambra, Benue, Delta, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau and Taraba states said their members have been going through hell at the hands of herders who wantonly invade farms and let loose their cattle to feed on crops that have taken months of hard labour and sweat to plant and nurture.
Oyo State chairman, Ayoola Ajibesin, in an interview with The Nation, said: “We know that the government does not care about compensating us for all that we have lost. But going by the volume of what we have lost, if there should be compensation from government to farmers in Oyo State, it should not be less than N40 billion.
“Even if this amount is given, it can never replace the lives of our promising members that have been murdered by the herders.”
But Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, says both sides (farmers and herders) have suffered losses, adding that the federal executive council approved N27.4 billion as intervention funds for states affected by conflicts, insecurity and flooding.
