…IYC kicks over attack
Odahiekwu Ogunde, Yenagoa
A suspected Fulani herder has inflicted serious injuries on a teenage boy and his father at Osuan forest in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
It was gathered that the Fulani herder attacked Mr Goodhead Nation and his 18-year-old son, Samuel Nation, over his missing cow at the forest.
The unidentified herder was said to have attacked Samuel with a machete and inflicted serious wounds on his fingers and head.
However, Samuel’s 58-year-old father, Goodhead Nation, reportedly managed to escape further attack with heavy bruises on the left hand.
It was further gathered that Samuel underwent four-hour surgery at the emergency wards of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, where he was rushed to after the deadly attack.
Narrating the incident, Goodhead Nation said the attack occurred on Saturday evening while they were working on their palm farm.
He said the Fulani herder came through the back entrance of his farm and accused them of stealing his cow.
He said: “We told him we did not know anything about his missing cow. I asked him to look at us whether we looked like people who could kill a cow. He appeared adamant. After some seconds, he attacked me with his big stick.
“He later brought out his machete and chased my son. We later discovered my son by the riverside with heavy machete cuts on the head, waist and hand. “
Reacting to the development, spokesman for the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), 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.
He said: “Let me say, this is not the first time the herdsmen’s incident has happened. But this is one incident too many. Considering the mood of the country, the Ijaw youths will not carry out reprisals. We believe 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 not 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 preempt anyone. They should come out to exonerate themselves.
“Ijaw youths should brace up and defend their clans against any form of enemy attacks. The Ijaw youths should welcome peace-loving people and defend themselves against any form of threats.”
The Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Mike Okoli, confirmed the incident.
He appealed to the residents of the state to remain calm, saying that the command was working assiduously to identify the suspected herder and apprehend him.
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