Farmer allegedly kills herder in Osun community

A combined security team involving operatives of the Nigeria Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Osun State has arrested a farmer, Paul Amaechi, over the alleged killing of a herder, whose name could not be immediately ascertained, for grazing cattle on his farm at Telemu village in the state.

The mutilated body of the herder was said to have been found on Amaechi’s farm on Thursday, fueling suspicion of his involvement in the death of the deceased.

Speaking to The PUNCH on Friday, Osun NSCDC Command spokesperson, Kehinde Adeleke, said the remains of the deceased had been evacuated from the scene of the crime.

Adeleke, however, added that a herder who reportedly witnessed the attack, which led to the death of the deceased, reported at a police station in Orile Owu, where he said cattle had earlier grazed on the farm belonging to Ameachi, which made him and other farmers in the area lay ambush for them.

She further said, “Mr Paul Amaechi, who is a Tiv farmer, was arrested in respect of the alleged murder of a herder by a joint operation of the NSCDC and the police.

“According to an eyewitness, the suspect and his cohorts had allegedly laid ambush for the herders.

“The eyewitness, who is also a herder, said Amaechi was displeased after his farm was damaged by herders that took their herd of cattle there to feed there about two weeks ago. The eyewitness also said he was lucky to escape the ambush.”