Residents of Kokori community in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State have been thrown into fear and tension following a near-fatal attack on a 40-year-old farmer, Edafe Efeurhobo, allegedly by a suspected herdsman.

Efeurhobo, who is currently battling for his life in hospital, was reportedly attacked in broad daylight on Monday after confronting herdsmen said to be destroying his mother’s cassava farm near their home.

Speaking from his hospital bed, the victim said he had asked the herdsmen to remove their cows from the farm, after which they initially left.

He alleged that one of them later ambushed him and carried out a brutal assault.

“I saw them destroying my mother’s cassava, so I told them to take their cows away. They left, but later one of them laid an ambush for me. He butchered me. He cut my two hands and part of my face, including one eye. I was saved when a woman and a boy ran towards us,” he said.

His mother, Mrs. Mary Fresh Efeurhobo, described the attack as horrifying and appealed to the government to urgently intervene to protect residents of the community.

The incident has heightened fears over worsening insecurity in the area, coming just days after a young man was reportedly killed and beheaded by suspected herdsmen in the nearby Orhoakpor community.

The development sparked a peaceful protest by women and youths, who declared a “no entry” order for herdsmen and warned residents against collaborating with them.

Condemning the attack, the Forest Guard Service leader, Joseph Esegine, said residents had repeatedly raised concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the area.

Tension reportedly remained high as some youths briefly mobilised to search for the suspect, raising fears of possible reprisal attacks before security agencies stepped in.

Confirming the incident, Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said investigations were ongoing.

“Efforts are being intensified to apprehend the suspect and bring all those responsible to justice,” he assured.

Meanwhile, the Justice of the Peace and Director-General of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Esq., commended the youths and women of Kokori Inland for their restraint and peaceful conduct.

Describing the attack as gruesome and regrettable, Oghenesivbe announced a personal donation of N100,000 to support the victim’s medical treatment and called on well-meaning individuals to assist in his recovery.

He assured residents that the Delta State Government and Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, are aware of the incident and are working to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

Oghenesivbe also urged the Chairman of Ethiope East Local Government Council, Chief Augustine Ogedegbe, to convene an emergency stakeholders’ meeting to develop intelligence-driven strategies to strengthen internal security and prevent future attacks. (The Nation)