By Our Correspondents

The peaceful community of Gbobi Mowe, Ogun State, was thrown into mourning on January 25, 2025, following a violent attack by suspected Fulani herdsmen that claimed the life of Mr. Animasaun David and left his youngest son critically injured.

Residents described the assault as a chilling reminder of the insecurity that continues to plague Nigeria’s rural communities. An eyewitness who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity reported that about eight armed assailants stormed the Animasaun residence at 14, Olorunsogo Gbobi Mowe around 4p.m., demanding to know the whereabouts of the family’s daughter, Damilola, and her husband, Emmanuel Akinbo.

Investigations revealed that the herdsmen were not after Mr. Animasaun himself, but rather his daughter and son-in-law. The couple, who once managed Ace Farm Limited in Omiyiola Village, Kila, Ogun State, had been in conflict with the group since 2021 when the herdsmen destroyed their farm after a kidnapping incident involving Chinese nationals. The farm was razed, livestock slaughtered, and the assailants vowed to kill the Akinbos.

But the attackers have continued to trail their family members in Nigeria. In 2021, Damilola—pregnant at the time—was shot during a journey from Lagos to Mowe. She survived after undergoing emergency surgery to remove bullets from her leg.

In tears, Mrs. Animasaun recounted to our correspondent how her life was shattered within minutes. She explained that while at home with her husband and youngest son, she excused herself to use the toilet. Suddenly, she heard strange voices in the living room demanding to know the whereabouts of Damilola and Emmanuel.

“Then I heard my husband and son screaming loudly,” she recalled. “I stayed inside, trembling, until the voices disappeared. When I came out, I saw my husband in a pool of blood while my son was badly injured.”

Neighbors responded to her cries for help and rushed both victims to a hospital in Mowe. Sadly, doctors confirmed Mr. Animasaun dead on arrival, while the young boy was admitted and remains under intensive care.

“I want justice for my husband,” she cried. “He did not deserve to die this way. The image of his lifeless body will never leave me, the case has since been reported to the Mowe police station”.

The gruesome murder has reignited concerns over Nigeria’s worsening insecurity and the wave of herdsmen violence that has spread across several states. Critics accuse government and security agencies of negligence and failure to protect lives despite repeated warnings and documented attacks.

As of January 29, 2025, Mr. Animasaun had not yet been buried, and the family awaits justice. Efforts to reach police authorities in Mowe for comment were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.

The Gbobi Mowe community remains gripped with fear as residents call for urgent intervention. Meanwhile, the Animasaun family struggles to come to terms with a devastating loss that many fear could have been prevented.

May the soul of Mr. Animasaun David rest in peace, and may his family find strength in this dark hour.