Police Probe Killing of Fulani Herder, Gunshot Injury to Another in Edo
By Zagazola Makama
The Edo State Police Command has launched an investigation into the killing of a Fulani herder and injury to another following an attack in Odame Ekperi Forest, Etsako Central Local Government Area of the state.
Police sources informed Zagazola Makama that the incident was reported at the Fugar Divisional Police Headquarters on April 15 by the Chairman of Fulani Herders in Etsako Central, Abubakar Mohammed, who resides in Aviele Community, Auchi LGA.
According to the police sources, the chairman informed officers that on the same date, he received a distress call at about 11:00 a.m. from one Ibrahim, a herder operating within the Odame/South Ibie axis. Ibrahim disclosed that around 9:30 a.m., he and four other herders were in their camp with their cattle when about four armed men, suspected to be vigilantes from nearby communities, stormed the area and opened fire on them.
As a result of the attack, one Abubakar Maman, 26, from Okene in Kogi State, was shot and killed, while another, Abubakar Yahaya, 24, also from Okene, sustained a gunshot wound to the neck.
Police operatives who visited the crime scene documented evidence, and the injured victim was evacuated to Place of Refuge Hospital in Fugar for urgent medical attention. The corpse of the deceased was deposited at the General Hospital Mortuary in Fugar for autopsy.
The Police Command stated that the situation is being closely monitored and that preliminary investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend the assailants.
