Abraka: Suspected Fulani Herdsmen Machete Farmer To Death, Bury Corpse In Shallow Grave

By Daniel Dafe

Suspected Fulani herdsmen have reportedly killed one Oghenevwoke Okpako in a farmland in Abraka community, Ethiope East Local Government Area, Delta State, burying him in a shallow grave.

A source said he was killed when he went to his farm on Wednesday, 23rd February, 2022, to fetch firewood.

The source added that a search for him began same day when he did not return and his phone was not going through.

Vigilante members and some members of Urhuoka community in Abraka are said to have conducted a search and discovered that the deceased had machete cuts in several parts of his body and was buried in a shallow grave.

According to the said source, the late farmer recently finalized his marriage with his wife, adding that he left behind an aged mother and children.

At the time of filing this report, Oasis Magazine learnt that indigenes of the community have decided to write a letter to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa with an appeal to do something urgent to protect the live and property of residents in the community, saying that their demands are for an army base to be setup at the boundary of Urhuoka community.

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They also said that they may have to resort to self defense if nothing is done urgently.

Sources said the community’s President General, Deacon Stephen Avweneghagha, has continued to appeal to youths that are aggressive to calm their nerves that his administration will not bring chaos, saying that his anger is that a reprisal attack (after the killing of the farmer) was carried by youths in the community and in the process some Hausa traders were injured.

Angry youths are said to have set ablaze about four motorcycles belonging to Hausa traders in the area and determined to set the owners ablaze, but were resisted by the community leaders.

“They are Hausa people and not the Fulanis who killed our own,” he said.
He continued: “The road to Urhuoka is an open road; no security. Where you have security is at Benin road and they don’t work there at night.

“We are predicting that in the next one year, death that will come from hunger is going to be too much; starvation is coming. People cannot farm; no foodstuffs. When the place was peaceful, Abraka was feeding 60% of Delta state, because the soil is fertile. But now, our people struggle to buy cassava. Imagine us that before this crisis were selling cassava and farm produce, now go as far as Evboesi to buy. How are we going to make our money and feed well?”

Attempts to speak with the police image maker in the state, DSP Edafe Bright proved abortive at the time of publishing this report.