Tension has gripped Urhuoka community of Abraka in the Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State as suspected herdsmen allegedly hacked a man, Oghenevwoke Okpako, to death on the community’s farmland.
The deceased was reportedly buried in a shallow grave by the assailants.
PUNCH Metro gathered that Okpako was killed when he went to his farm last Wednesday, February 23, 2022, to fetch firewood.
It was learnt that a search for him began same day when he did not return and his phone did not go through.
Some vigilantes and members of Urhuoka community in Abraka were said to have resorted to an intensive search of the farmland and eventually discovered that he was buried in a shallow grave in the forest.
The body was said to have had what appeared like machete cuts.
A source said the farmer recently consummated his marriage with his wife and paid her bride price, adding that he left behind an aged mother and children.
Meanwhile, the community’s President-General, Stephen Avweneghagha, has appealed to aggrieved community youths, urging them not to resort to reprisals.
He said, “We are predicting that in the next one year, many people will die from hunger; starvation is coming. People cannot farm, no foodstuffs. When this place was peaceful, Abraka was feeding 60 per cent 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, we go as far as Evboesi to buy. How are we going to make our money and feed well?”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, could not be reached for comments as of the time of filing this report.
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