By Peter Uzoma
About eight heavily armed Fulani herdsmen supervising about five hundred cows have sacked the Umunjam village in Amakohia Ubi of Owerri West Local Government Area.
An investigation carried out by Trumpeta revealed that trouble started on Tuesday this week when a hunter, Eze Anorue and his wife were returning from their farmland on a motorcycle. Eze as a hunter was slinging his dane gun.
On sighting the hunter, the herdsmen launched an attack thinking he was coming for them. A scuffle ensued and in the process the hunter’s hand was severed. The wife who escaped to raise alarm in the village attracted other hunters who quickly mobilised to the scene. Unfortunately, before their arrival the herdsmen had retreated using the hunter’s machine to escape.
An eyewitness who pleaded anonymity told this Reporter that the wounded hunter was taken to an undisclosed hospital around for medical attention.
No sooner had the situation died down, another report filtered in that another hunter, Eze Nwozuzu had also been attacked with injuries. He is also receiving treatment.
When Trumpeta visited the partially deserted village, the youths of the area who were seen hanging around said they were keeping vigil to forestall possible reprisal attack. According to them, “how can we fold our arms or go to sleep and watch herdsmen slaughter us”
A Community Dr JOJ Ukonu in an interview described the happenings as unfortunate warning that if nothing was done immediately the situation may escalate to an uncontrollable level.
Dr Ukonu however appealed to youths in the area not to take the laws into their hands as such could spell disaster.
Another Community leader Engineer Sir Kevin Akanador express dissatisfaction that all complaints by the people have fallen on deaf ears and called for immediate government intervention to save lives.
He said because of the situation now women of the area can no longer access their farmland again adding that if nothing was done famine may creep into the area.
Meanwhile, a batch of Policemen have visited the area but there is palpable fear that little may be achieved because of the calibre of weapons the herdsmen are wielding.
