Fresh tension has gripped parts of Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State following an alleged attack by suspected armed herders on a rubber tapper, his son and other residents of the area, amid renewed complaints of insecurity in farming communities.

The latest incident occurred on Monday, September 14, 2026, when the Rubber identified as Mr. John Ogoro and his 12-year-old son, Godswill, were allegedly attacked by the armed men suspected to be herdsmen while returning from a rubber plantation along the bush path between Emu Ebendo and Umusam Ogbe.

The development has heightened fears among residents of Emu Ebendo, Umusam Ogbe, Abbe and neighbouring communities, where farmers have repeatedly complained of alleged attacks, destruction of crops and restrictions on access to their farmlands.

The Guardian learnt that Ogoro and his son were returning from the plantation at about 5:30 p.m. when they allegedly encountered three armed men who stopped them and ordered them to kneel down.

According to the boy, the suspected attackers accused his father of killing their cattle.

Godswill, while narrating the incident, said his father repeatedly explained that he was a rubber tapper and not responsible for the alleged killing of any cattle.

He said the situation became more frightening when the attackers allegedly cocked their guns, prompting his father to flee.

According to him, the gunmen subsequently shot at his father, leaving him injured.

The boy said he was ordered to take possession of their motorcycle, but pleaded with the attackers before eventually making his way out and seeking help.

The victim was later rescued following information passed to Mr. Okom Chibeze, a neighbour, who alerted Mr. Ujene Matthew Ossai, member representing Delta North on the Delta State Livestock Management Committee under the Delta State Ministry of Agriculture.

Ossai, who was with Mr. Nzesi Ikechukwu and Mr. Peter Igbenu, both operatives of the committee, reportedly mobilised to the area and proceeded to Umusam Ogbe junction.

The matter was subsequently brought to the attention of the police, but instead of taking the victim directly to the police station, the DCO 2 reportedly directed that he should be taken to Donak Hospital, Kwale, Delta State where he received medical attention.

The September 14 incident is coming barely three months after another alleged attack on a farmer in the same axis.

Ossai explained that on June 15, 2026, a 25-year-old farmer, Joseph Terhemen, from Kogi State, was allegedly attacked while working on a farm at Emu Ebendo.

According to information provided by the Livestock Management Committee, Terhemen reportedly encountered four herders allegedly encroaching on his farmland at about 2:00 p.m.

He was said to have asked them to leave the farm, but the disagreement reportedly degenerated into an altercation.

He said the matter was reported to the Abbe Police Division and the Delta State Livestock Management Committee, said Ossai who subsequently contacted Alhaji Musa Seidu, identified as a leader of herders operating within the axis, over the incident.

He though Seidu reportedly denied the allegation, but preliminary inquiries indicated that the farmer knew the four herders involved.

In another reported incident linked to the worsening tension, a motorcycle was allegedly set ablaze at Abbe, also in Ndokwa West. Details surrounding the incident remained sketchy as of the time of filing this report.

However, Ossai, in a telephone interview, confirmed that the latest incident had been reported to members of the Livestock Management Committee, prompting efforts to prevent further escalation.

He said the matter was also reported to the Kwale Police Division for investigation, even as he expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation, particularly its impact on farmers whose livelihoods depend on access to their farms.

He lamented that some residents were increasingly afraid to venture into their farms, with some allegedly abandoning agricultural activities altogether.

According to him, Emu Ebendo has become a major flashpoint, with repeated complaints from residents about alleged attacks and the activities of herders in the surrounding bushes.

He appealed to the family of the victim and residents to remain calm while security agencies investigate the incident and identify those responsible.

When contacted, The Delta State Police Command, through its spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident.
Edafe said no arrest had been made as of the time of confirmation, but disclosed that the victim was taken to hospital, treated and discharged.