BY FESTUS AHON

UGHELLI—TWO Fulani herdsmen were Sunday, killed in Egbo-Uwheru, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, by unknown gunmen.

At the time, residents, particularly youths of the hitherto peaceful community, were seen fleeing the community for fear of being arrested by the police.

The deceased, Vanguard gathered, were rearing about 52 cattle belonging to one Akpevwen Akedeye in the premises of late Stafford Obrutse, owner of Imoniyame Holdings, who died in the recent Dana plane crash.

According to a reliable source, the Fulani herdsmen were found dead in the premises at 3pm with their stomachs opened up after being shot by their assailants, adding that their locally made guns, bows and arrows were found beside them.

The source expressed fear that some vital parts of their bodies might have been removed by their killers.

The source, who pleaded anonymity, said only two cows out of the 52, were seen wondering in the community, expressing worries that the suspected assailants might have made away with the other 50 cows.

Efforts to reach police authorities in the state for comments proved abortive at press time. However, a senior police officer in Ughelli ‘A’ division confirmed the incident.

The police source, who does not want his name in print said: “We suspect that the herdsmen were killed with a rifle. The police had taken the corpses to the mortuary.”

Saying that no arrest had been made, he said the police was already investigating the matter, expressing hope that the killers would be arrested and made to face the law.