Farmers in the Achido community in Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), near the Ohiore village in Toto Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa State, have been gripped by fear after finding decomposing corpses of suspected kidnappers on their farmland.
Last week, vigilantes and hunters, including members of the Miyetti Allah group, clashed with the kidnappers, resulting in the death of several suspects and the rescue of 14 abducted victims.
Since then, farmers have been reluctant to return to their lands due to the unsettling discovery of bodies scattered around the area.
One farmer, Samari Gambo, recounted finding three decomposing bodies riddled with bullet wounds on his farm, forcing him to abandon his harvest and return home.
“I went to the farm on Saturday to harvest crops when I discovered three corpses of the kidnappers already decomposed and smelling. I hurriedly carried out some harvest and returned home,” he told Daily Trust.
Another farmer, Samuel Gwatana, also said he saw four corpses a distance from his farm.
He noted that the ongoing presence of the corpses had left residents of both Achido and neighbouring Ohiore villages fearful.
“Since the onslaught on the kidnappers by the Miyetti Allah vigilante and hunters last week… some farmers could not go to their farms because of fear,” he said.
Gwatana recalled how kidnappers used to hold farmers hostage, often ordering them to run errands, such as purchasing food, before allowing them to continue farming.
“When you are working in the farm, the kidnappers will come and ask you to stop work and go to the town to buy food and other items before you will be allowed to work in your farm,” he added.
The farmers are now calling on the Abaji Area Council and Toto LGA authorities to collaborate on burying the bodies, to help restore a sense of safety and normalcy for the community.