From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
There was palpable tension in Amakohia-Ubi community in Owerri-West Local Government , Imo State on Wednesday evening as herdsmen and local security operatives of the area clashed.
The deadly clash was said to have led to the death of one of the vigilantes,Monday Nwaozuzu, popularly known as Ojo Ola and another member wounded even as one of them involved in the clash is still missing.
A source from the community told our correspondent that the incident which occurred about 6 30 pm witnessed heavy gun duel between the vigilantes and the herdsmen.
The vigilantes the source said, attempted to resist the entrance of the herders and their cows into their farmlands and the melee and resultant altacation between them led to serious exchange of gun firing.
“It’s always the routine of our vigilantes to guard our farms , so that day, they encountered the Fulani herdsmen approaching at exactly the community’s college. They told them to go back, but they refused not knowing that they were fully armed and all of a sudden ,they opened fire on our men , killing Ojo Ola and wounded another person. As we speak we’re still combing the bush in search of another vigilante.
“All through yesterday night they have been searching the bushes with hope to find him, but all to no avail,we have even commenced searching again this morning ,but no luck. But when his phone line was dialed athis morning, one of the herdsmen picked it so we don’t know if he was abducted or killed. “ The source said.
The community has been under severe attack by herders in the last couple of months.
The police have since visited the scene for on the spot assessment and calmed the tensed situation in the area, but that has not been enough to discourage the indigenes from a mass exodus to neighbouring communities and towns.
