Student loses hand in quarrel with herdsman

A 19-year-old High School student recently had his hand cut-off in a quarrel with a Nigerian herdsman in Abuenshe, Ako Subdivision, Donga-Mantung Division of Northwest Region. The student of Government High School, Bayelsa in the Taraba State of Nigeria, Godlove

Mamuda of Abuenshe origin, who was on holiday with his parents in his Abuenshe Village, on that fateful day appealed to his friends to go and assist him on his parents farm since schools were to resume soon. Upon arrival, they discovered that cows were grazing right inside the maize farm. They decided to chase the cows away, when, suddenly, the herdsman emerged and ordered the boys to stop chasing away the cows.

A quarrel reportedly ensued and the herdsman (whose name was not gotten) pulled out his machete from the scabbard and raised it to cut he boy on the head. The boy smartly raised his right hand to defend the blow and the cutlass landed on the wrist, thus separating it from the arm. When Mamuda screamed in pain and the other boys shouted, the herdsman took-off with his cows and disappeared before villagers gathered.

It is believed that the man quickly crossed the border back to Nigeria unnoticed. The hand was later on buried in the presence of the Divisional Officer for Ako and some elements of the Forces of Law and Order. Mamuda is presently at the Ako Catholic Health Centre under intensive medical attention. When the news reached the Senior Divisional Officer for Donga-Mantung, Ndode Ngone Mesape, he, accompanied by his immediate collaborators, rushed to Abuenshe.

Many people, like the SDO, asked what the herdsmen were still doing there when the period of trans-humans was long over. One of them is said to have revealed that they gave much money to the Chiefs, landlords and the local authorities, hence had the right to graze their cows in the area. Besides, he is said to have added that they were also enticed by Cameroonians’ hospitality and peace.

It is worth noting that during this period of trans-humans, many Cameroonian grazers in the border areas of Ako, Misaje and Nwa, Noni and Bum Subdivisions lose their cattle to Nigerian rustlers. The SDO hinted that a contingent of forces of law and order has been deployed to ensure that the herdsmen quit immediately. He extended a message of sympathy to Mamuda and the family. Mamuda is a form four student. With the right hand amputated, many are wondering how he would fare at school.

By Wamey Panky