There is a rising tension in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital over the deadly attack by an unidentified Fulani herder on an 18 years old boy Kohgi Nation, over alleged missing cow at Osuan bush, Otuoke Community, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa.
The victim was attacked with a machete with grievous injuries on his fingers and head.
The boy on Sunday underwent four hours surgery at the emergency wards of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Yenagoa.
The 58 years old Father of the victim, Goodhead Nation, reportedly escaped the attack with heavy bruises on his left hand.
Nation said the attack occurred at about 5pm on Friday when they were working on the palm farm, “the fulani herder came through the back entrance of my farm.
He came to me and accused us of stealing his cow. “We denied the theft and told him to look at us whether we looked like someone who can kill a cow.
He attacked me with his stick. He later brought out his machete and chased my son.
We later discovered my son by the river side with heavy machete cut to the head, waist and hand,” he said.
Reacting to the development, the Spokesman of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe, who visited the victim at the hospital, expressed sadness over the incident, warning that he believed that the incident was an isolated one.
According to Ekerefe, “let me say, this is not the first time the herdsman incident happened. But this one is too many.
Considering the mood of the country, the Ijaw Youths should not carry out reprisal attack. It is an isolated attack. We do not want to believe that the attack was planned.
“We want to call on security agencies to arrest the culprit. If the culprit is arrested it will show that it was planned.
“The hausa/fulani Community in Bayelsa should show sympathy with the victim by ensuring the culprit is arrested.
We don’t want to pre-empt anyone. They should come out to exonerate themselves.
“Ijaw youths should brace up and defend their clans against any form of attacks.
The Youths should welcome a peace loving people and defend themselves against any form of threats,” he stated.
Confirming the development, the Bayelsa Commissioner of Police, Mike Okoli, appealed to residents of the state to remain calm as the command was working assiduously to identify the suspected herder and apprehend him.
In a statement issued by the spokesperson of the Police Command, Asinim Butswat, said “On February,20, at about 0800hours an unknown herder at Osuan bush, Otueke Community, assaulted one Kohgi Nation ‘m’ 18 years.
Butswat said the boy was inflicted with grievous wounds on his fingers and head, over an allegation of a missing cow.
“The victim was immediately rescued by Police Operatives and is responding to treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa.
He appealed to members of the public to remain calm as the command is working assiduously to identify the suspected herder and apprehend him,” he stated.
