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Suspected hoodlums in Emu-Ebendo community, Ndokwa West Local Council of Delta State have allegedly killed a herdsman, Haruna Mohammed, in an encounter, which occurred on Sunday evening.
The unidentified hoodlums later threw the body into a flowing river within the community. The incident, it was gathered yesterday, is generating tension and fears of reprisals in the community.
According to a source, the hoodlums ran into the herdsman and his cattle in the bush while they were attempting to ambush and rob unsuspecting persons, when a quarrel ensured.
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The herdsman was said to have attacked them with his bow and arrow. Unfortunately for him, the hoodlums overpowered him and shot him.
The Police Commissioner in the state, Mr. Zanna Ibrahim, confirmed that the body of the herdsman was recovered in the flowing river by some residents who had gone to fetch drinking water, adding that some persons have already been arrested in connection with the act.
“We will deal with any hoodlum or herdsman, who breaches the law. Our men are everywhere to comb and bring to book trouble-makers,” he said, adding that the suspects were apprehended at Umusati after an intelligence gathering by a combined team of the police in Abbi Division and men of the local vigilance group.
In another development, women in Umusam community, Utagba-Ogbe kingdom, Ndokwa West Local Council have called on the state and federal governments to come to their aid over alleged herdsmen menace in their community.
The women, numbering over 5,000, on Monday thronged to the farmlands in search of the cattle rearers, who had allegedly destroyed their farm crops.
Speaking with The Guardian on phone, Chief Patrick Igwe, traditional ruler of the community, explained that the women took the action following the wanton destruction of their farm crops, especially cassava.
He said farming is the major occupation of the people. While regretting the havoc allegedly wreaked by the herdsmen, he pleaded with the government and law enforcement agencies to intervene before the crisis escalates.
