By Emeka Mamah

THERE is tension at Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, following an attack on a rice farmer by Fulani herdsmen.

The rice farmer identified as Mr Simon Chukwu, was alleged to have been attacked in his farm at Egu Ndi Eke, Okofia Oduma at about 5.30 pm on Thursday while trying to prevent the herdsmen from entering his farm with their cows.

Police sources said in Enugu yesterday, that the Fulani herdsmen who were apparently infuriated over Mr Chukwu attempt to prevent their cows from entering his farm gave him deep cuts on his forehead with machetes before running away taking their victim to be dead.

Herdsmen

The police source said that on, “Thursday at about 17.30 hours, Mr Chukwu of Ezenago Ohofia, Oduma, in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, reported at the police station that while he was in his rice farm at Egu Ndi Eke, Okofia Oduma, some herdsmen came with their cows and he tried to prevent them from entering his rice farm.

“Apparently infuriated, the herdsmen gave him a deep cut on his forehead with a machete and ran away, leaving him in his pool of blood. He was rushed to hospital at Oduma, where he is responding to treatment.”

Meanwhile, some officials of the Enugu State government and their counterparts from Aninri Local Government Area have visited Chukwu at the Oduma Cottage hospital where one Dr Ezugwu is said to be managing his case.

The government officials visited the victim in hospital after a marathon meeting attended by the Chairman of Aninri Local Government, Mr Chidi Ekwe with security agencies and the Fulani community in the area, led by their Chairman, Alhaji Tobi.