A farmer, identified as Yakubu Bitrus, has reportedly lost one of his hands after he was allegedly attacked by suspected Fulani herders in Agingi community, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Bitrus, who narrated his ordeal from a hospital where he is receiving treatment, said the incident followed a disagreement over a cow that had reportedly fallen into a ditch.
According to the farmer, the incident occurred while he was working on his farm alongside two women. During a break, a young herder reportedly approached them and asked for their assistance to rescue a cow that had become trapped.
Bitrus said he declined to immediately follow the herder, explaining that he was the only man among the group and could not leave the two women unattended. He instead advised the herder to seek assistance from other farmers in the area so they could collectively rescue the animal.
He alleged that the herder became angry, insisting that they follow him immediately because the cow could die if help was delayed.
Bitrus said the situation escalated when the herder allegedly began insulting him and chased him with a stick and machete. Suspecting that the man might have accomplices nearby, he said he and the two women fled rather than engage in a confrontation.
The farmer said they later returned to the area with other people to assist with rescuing the cow, but neither the animal nor the herders could be found.
He alleged that the herders had instead hidden nearby and monitored their movements.
Bitrus said the attack occurred later in the day as he, his wife and another woman were returning home from the farm.
According to him, his wife briefly left the road to gather firewood while he waited with the other woman. Shortly afterwards, he heard his wife screaming and rushed towards her.
He alleged that he found the attackers assaulting his wife and hitting her on the head.
Bitrus said he picked up a piece of wood and intervened in an attempt to protect his wife and escape from the attackers. A struggle reportedly followed, initially involving sticks.
He alleged that additional herders then emerged from the bush and joined the assault. During the confrontation, one of the attackers allegedly used a machete to cut off his hand.
The attackers reportedly fled into the bush afterwards, while Bitrus was left injured and later taken to a hospital for medical attention.
The allegations could not be independently verified at the time of filing this report. Authorities are yet to publicly establish the circumstances surrounding the incident or announce any arrests in connection with the alleged attack.
