Tension in Enugu as Herdsmen Attack Man with Machete

A major crisis was averted in the sleepy town of Okpanku in Aniri Local Government Area of Enugu State last Monday following alleged invasion of the area by suspected herdsmen.

The herdsmen were said to have attacked a security guard with machete which nearly led to his death but for quick intervention by some people in the community.  

According to an eye witness account, the suspected herdsmen were cutting down a Mango tree in somebody's compound with the intention of feeding their herds with it, but they were stopped by the security guard.

Rather than leave the place, the herders reportedly pounced on the guard and attacked him with matchete leaving him in the pool of his blood.

The guard however mustered some courage to raise alarm which made other villagers to rush to the scene.

However, before they arrived, the herders had fled into the bush.

The victim was rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Tension immediately enveloped the community as the young men threatened reprisal.

Another source in the area said, “the Fulani herdsmen were carrying their cattle passing the community when suddenly the herders entered inside the compound of one Barrister Eric Ogudu and started plucking mangos in that compound.

“The security guard in that compound (name withheld) tried to stop them but they refused and in ensuing scuffle they gave him several machete cuts in his arms and shoulder.

“The guard started shouting Fulani people done kill me! And immediately the attention of the people were drawn and the villagers that came out started pursing them."

It was further gathered that the owner of the compound, Barr. Eric has already made statement to the police at Aniri Divisional Headquarter in Okpanku, and a team of policemen had been deployed to the community to maintain peace and calm the youths who are bent on fishing out the herdsmen who carried out the attack.               

The spokesman of the police in Enugu, Superintendent of Police, Ebere Amaraizu confirmed the attack on the community.

According to him, “Police have commenced investigation into the matter."