Alexander Okere, Benin

Armed men suspected to be Fulani herdsmen have left a farmer battling to save his life after allegedly attacking him in the Etsako-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Southern City News learnt that the incident occurred in Igiode community, near Agenebode.

It was gathered that the victim, whose identity could not be ascertained, had left his house for his farm to assess some newly-cultivated crops.

The farmer was said to have sighted some cows grazing on his farm and had attempted to prevent them from destroying his crops when he was accosted by the armed men.

On suspecting that they were herdsmen, the victim was said to have told them to leave his farm with their cattle.

But it was learnt that no sooner had the man urged them to leave than they suddenly launched an attack on him.

It was also learnt that the armed men allegedly hacked his face and had attempted to severe his head before he escaped.

The matter was said to have been reported at a police station in the area.

But the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Johnson Kokumo, could not be reached for comments.

Kokumo had also yet to respond to a text message sent to him by our correspondent.

But a youth in the area who identified himself as Shedrack Okpomhe in a video clip uploaded on the Internet by a Facebook user, Rita Ebiuwa, said that the victim was taken to a hospital where he received treatment.

Okpomhe also lamented the spate of attacks by suspected herdsmen in Agenebode

He said, “The story available from the family has it that the person in question was on his way to his farm and he met these herdsmen.

“The herd of cattle was on his way and he wanted to pass through; the next thing, they pounced on him and the rest was something really touching.

“Some persons carried rumours that the person (farmer) in question was dead but I told them that it was not true. For this man to still be alive, God has reasons; he is a God of wonders.”

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