Tension has gripped the agrarian community of Ubulu Okiti in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State following the killing of two farmers by suspected herdsmen on Thursday evening.
The victims, identified simply as Okwuoma and Isichei, were reportedly gunned down in their farmland after a confrontation with herders who had allegedly allowed their cattle to graze freely on cultivated farmlands, destroying crops such as cassava and maize.
According to a community source who spoke on condition of anonymity, the tragic incident stemmed from a heated exchange between the farmers and a group of herdsmen whose cattle had encroached on the victims’ farmland.
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“There had been complaints about herders destroying crops in the area. On that day, some of the farmers, including the deceased, confronted the herders. During the altercation, one of the herdsmen was caught. The others fled but later returned in greater numbers and attacked the farmers, killing two of them,” the source explained.
The remains of the deceased have been deposited at a nearby mortuary, while local authorities say the incident has been formally reported to security agencies.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the attack but did not provide further details. He said, “it is confirmed but I cannot say if the assailants were herdsmen.”
The incident adds to the growing concerns over the increasing cases of violence between farmers and herders in various parts of the country.