Doctors are currently battling to save the life of a farmer after armed men, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, allegedly attacked him in Etsako-East Local Government Area of Edo State.
A source, who pleaded not to be named, said that the incident occurred in Igiode community, near Agenebode.
It was gathered that the victim, whose identity could not be ascertained, had left his house for his farm to assess some newly-cultivated crops.
The farmer was said to have met some cattle grazing on his farm and had attempted to prevent them from destroying his crops, when he was confronted by the armed men.
On confirming that they were herdsmen, the victim was said to have told them to leave his farm with their cattle.
But it was at this juncture that the herdsmen allegedly launched an attack on the farmer.
The armed herdsmen were said to have dealt the farmer some machete blows on the face and had attempted to cut of his head, before he escaped and took to his heels.
The matter was said to have been reported at a police station in the area.
But the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Johnson Kokumo, could not be reached for comments on the incident.
Kokumo did not also respond to a text message sent to him by our correspondent.
But a youth in the area, who identified himself as Shedrack Okpomhe, said that the victim was taken to a hospital, where he was receiving treatment.
Okpomhe also lamented the spate of attacks by suspected herdsmen in Agenebode.
He said, “The story available from the family has it that the person in question was on his way to his farm and he met these herdsmen. The herd of cattle was blocking his way and he wanted to pass; the next thing, they pounced on him and the rest was something really
touching.
“Some persons carried rumours that the person (farmer) in question was dead, but I told them that it was not true. For this man to still be alive, God has His reasons; He is a God of wonders.”