Tension has gripped residents of Ovwian community in the Udu Local Government Area of Delta State after a couple, identified as Mr and Mrs Iro Ese, were attacked and injured by cows belonging to a herdsman in the community.
Our correspondent learnt that the incident occurred on Thursday, November 4, 2021, on the Ovwian/Aladja Expressway.
It was gathered that Mrs Ese was “injured to the point of death” as good Samaritans rushed her to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
Witnesses said the herdsman leading the cows lost control of them and could not rescue the couple until some residents intervened.
A rights group in the community, the Ijaw Political Watchdog Organisation, urged the police to seize the cows and prosecute the herder.
The group’s President, Paul Akpowaide, also called on the Chairman of the area, Brown Onajite, and the member of the state House of Assembly representing Udu Constituency to put an end to open grazing in the community.
He lamented that Mrs Ese was in a critical condition in the hospital where she was being treated.
“Enough is enough of this Fulani herdsmen killing and destruction of our environment. We can’t fold our arms and watch what is happening in our environment. Laws are made to control a system and not to be silent after activation,” he added.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, could not be reached for comment as of the time of filing this report.