Herdsmen attack leaves 10 dead, 3,500 homeless in Cross River

 Fulani Herdsmen

The Attack by suspected Fulani herdsmen has left not less than 10 people dead and over 3,500 rendered homeless in Obio Usiere, Eniong Abatim, Odukapni local government council of Cross River State.

However, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Irene Ugbo, who confirmed the attack, said only one person, was killed, noting that policemen on duty in the area have restored calm there.

Fulani Herdsmen

But following the attack, Obio Usiere has been deserted and women are said to be afraid to go to their farms for fear of being raped in the bush. In a previous attack, the heavily armed herdsmen allegedly killed two persons last week in an unprovoked attack.

Village head of Obio Usiere, Apostle Iya Effiong Orok, told journalists that although it was earlier reported that 2 members of the community were killed last week, eight more dead bodies were later discovered.

According to Orok, the two people earlier killed were just those whose bodies were recovered immediately after the first attack, adding: “We have lost not less than 10 people in this attack by Fulani herdsmen. They normally come during the dry season to feed their cattle; in a similar incident two years ago two people were shot dead, now its 10 people.”

The village said the matter has been reported to both Police, DSS and other security agencies, even as he called on Governor Ben Ayade to help, “more so when about 3, 500 people are now homeless and we have become refugees in our own land.”