Herders, farmers clash claims four in Ebonyi

Four persons have been confirmed dead in a clash involving farmers and herdsmen at Igbeagu community in Izzi Local Council of Ebonyi State.

The Guardian learnt that the incident, which occurred on Monday morning, resulted in injuries on three other villagers.

Trouble reportedly began when the hands of a local cattle rearer who had gone out to feed his flock were chopped off by the herdsmen after an altercation. In the ensuing commotion the villager, it was gathered raised an alarm that alerted fellow locals who stormed the scene.

The spokesperson for the state police command, ASP Loveth Odah, who confirmed the development to reporters yesterday in Abakaliki, regretted the incident, adding that the force had begun investigating the matter.

She said: “Two herdsmen attacked a villager who had gone to feed his local cattle in the bush after an altercation with him, and chopped off his hands.

“As they were attacking him, he managed to raise an alarm that attracted more villagers came to his rescue.

“The herdsmen also attacked the villagers who came to their brother’s rescue, inflicting machete cuts on about three of them before fleeing the scene.

“But the villagers chased and caught up with them and also beat them up before handing them over to the military men stationed close to the community.

“The three wounded villagers were rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki where two of them later died.

“Also, one of the herdsmen also later died as he was rushed to the hospital making it four deaths from the incidents.”

Odah cautioned residents against confrontation with herders, urging them but to report any incidents to the command’s herdsmen desk headed by the OC SARS.