A farmer in Cross River State, Mathias Odey, has narrated how Fulani herdsmen cut off his left hand in a clash on November 5, 2017.
The 54-year-old father of seven said the incident occurred in Ugaga community of Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Odey said he was on his farm harvesting his produce alongside his children when they were attacked by herdsmen.
“My children and I were plucking pepper from one of my farms . We usually do this together . After I finished with the pepper, I went to another section to harvest yam.
“I had barely harvested four tubers of yam when we saw some Fulani herdsmen entering our farm . Three of the herdsmen were with their cows , scattering the ridges . My son attempted to chase them , but one of the herdsmen brought out a cutlass and went after him.
“He hit my son twice but didn ’t injure him . I went after him and suddenly , he turned towards me and tried to cut off my neck with the cutlass . I used my hand to defend myself and that was when it was chopped off,” Odey said.
He disclosed that since he was mutilated by the herdsmen, he has found it hard to get help.
The farmer said he has been depending on the goodwill of family members to survive.
He added, “When this incident happened , there were promises that the government would take care of my hospital bills and see to it that I get treated, but nothing of such has happened.
“I have been depending on the goodwill of family members . I have spent the last four months in and out of hospitals both in Calabar and Ogoja Local Government Area.”
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