By David Olalekan.
Two herdsmen were fatally injured in Agbala, Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State yesterday, as herders engaged in a violent scuffle over missing cows.
According to an eyewitness who spoke to reporters after the clash, the fight was triggered by one of the herdsmen who stabbed his colleague and made away with his cattle.
“What happened was that a herdsman went into the bush and stabbed his kinsman who was asleep. He left with his victim’s cows after he thought he was dead.
“But, another herdsman, who was also in the bush, alerted others who came to the forest and overpowered the culprit after stabbing him severally and thereafter recovered the stolen cows.
“It was villagers who alerted the police. The man was rescued and the two were rushed to the emergency unit of FMC, Owerri”, the eyewitness said.
The incident led to heightened tension in the Agbala community, with heavy traffic congestion on the Owerri-Aba Road.
The Police spokesman in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu, assured newsmen that the herders were responding to treatment.