A farmer, Yakubu Bitrus, has reportedly lost one of his hands after he was allegedly attacked by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Agingi community, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Bitrus, who recounted his ordeal in a video circulating on social media, alleged that the attackers severed his hand after he initially declined a request to help lift a cow that had fallen into a ditch.
Speaking while receiving treatment in a hospital, the farmer said the incident occurred as he and two women were returning from the farm.
According to him, a young herder approached them during a meal break at the farm and requested their assistance in rescuing the trapped animal.
Bitrus said he explained that he was the only man among the group and could not leave the two women unattended. He reportedly advised the herder to seek help from other farmers in the area so they could jointly rescue the cow.
He alleged that the herder rejected the suggestion, insisted that they follow him immediately, and warned that the cow might die, which could lead to trouble.
The farmer further claimed that the situation became hostile after the herder allegedly insulted him and chased him with a stick and a cutlass. He said he noticed another person hiding nearby and decided to retreat with the women to avoid a confrontation.
Bitrus said they later gathered other people and returned to assist in rescuing the cow, but neither the herders nor the animal could be found.
He alleged that the herders had concealed themselves and were monitoring him and the women from the bush after the larger group dispersed.
Recounting the subsequent attack, Bitrus said his wife briefly left the road to gather firewood while he remained behind with another woman.
He said he later heard his wife screaming and rushed to the scene, where he allegedly found the attackers assaulting her and hitting her on the head.
According to him, he picked up a piece of wood in an attempt to protect his wife and escape. He alleged that the confrontation, which initially involved sticks, escalated when more herders emerged from the bush and joined the attack.
Bitrus claimed that one of the attackers struck him with a machete, severing his hand, before the assailants fled into the bush.
The circumstances surrounding the incident, including the identities of the alleged attackers and whether any arrests have been made, remain unclear. Authorities have yet to publicly confirm the allegations or provide details of any investigation.
Leave a Reply