Youths avenge murder of farmer in Kogi, kill four herders
In retaliation of the killing of 65-year-old Godwin Egbunu in his farm by suspected Fulani herdsmen, youths of Oforachi community in Igala Mela Odolu Council of Kogi State have allegedly killed four herders and dumped their bodies in Ofu River.
A witness confided in our correspondent that last Friday, some Fulani herdsmen, who invaded the farm and destroyed all the crops, murdered the sexagenarian.
According to him, the murderers attacked the farmer in the presence of the policemen who was accompanying him to the farm, as he had gone to lay complaints over the invasion of his farm.
However, the policemen reportedly said they could not stop the killing of the farmer because they were not armed.
A resident also confirmed that the community had been keeping vigil to wave off attacks by killer herders.
Communities such as Ogbogbo, Odolu and Akpanya, which are close to Oforachi, are said to be living in fear as of fresh attack by Fulani herders.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Kogi, DSP William Aya, in a statement yesterday confirmed the incident to journalists in Lokoja.
“On the 18th (day) of this month, about 0700hrs, information was received from Oforachi area that unknown persons suspected to be herdsmen killed one Godwin Egbunu aged 65 of same address at his farm and as a result angry youths from the village began attacking any Fulani on sight,” he said.
According to him, the Superintendent of Police (SUPOL) at Ajaka immediately mobilised his personnel to the scene and rescued two Fulani men from the mob, who had been injured.
DSP Ayah said the injured Fulani men were taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention
“Normalcy has been restored. They took the corpses the general hospital mortuary for autopsy as investigation continues,” he said.
Also, one Mohammed Arade, a Fulani from Egabada village, was said to have reported that two of their men, Abubakar Nahare (65) and Hassan Natunku (60), were missing since the incident.
A search party led by the Acting Area Commander, he said, swung into action and recovered the corpses of the two men from Ofu River at Oforachi with their hands tied.