By Ochuko Akuopha

ASABA — Suspected herdsmen have reportedly resumed attacks in Abavo, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State, kidnapping a female farmer and inflicting severe bullet wounds on three members of the community’s vigilante team.

The injured vigilantes were part of a community security group set up to protect farmers in the Oyoko Quarter of Abavo, following repeated herdsmen attacks in the area.

Speaking on Sunday about the incident, the President General of Abavo Community, Pastor Justin Onyeibe, confirmed that the woman and her husband were working on their farm when the assailants struck.

“The husband and wife were in the farm when they sighted the herdsmen. They tried to run, but unfortunately, the woman couldn’t escape. Only the man managed to outrun them, so they took his wife,” Onyeibe explained.

He added that a search was launched for the woman on Saturday, but the herdsmen ambushed the vigilante team during the operation.

“As I speak to you now, one of the injured vigilantes has been referred to a hospital in Asaba, while the other two are receiving treatment at another medical facility,” he said.

Onyeibe also mentioned that no contact had been made with the woman’s family as she did not have a phone.

A community source, who requested anonymity, revealed that due to the constant attacks, each of the 13 quarters of Abavo had formed separate vigilante groups tasked with securing the farmlands.

“Just yesterday (Saturday), they attacked the vigilantes manning the bushes in Oyoko Quarter. Three of our men were seriously injured,” the source disclosed.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of the State Command, Mr. Bright Edafe, confirmed the attack but stated he could not yet verify if it was carried out by herdsmen.