Open Grazing: Tension grips Kokori Community as Herdsman matchetes young man

The Agrarian Kokori Community in Ethiope East Local Government Area has been thrown into deep tension and anger following the near-death attack of an indigene, by a suspected herdsman, in what residents describe as a barbaric and unprovoked attack.

According to the victim, 40 year old Edafe Fresh Efeurhobo, who lies critically in the hospital, he was brutally butchered in broad daylight for daring the herdmen to stop destroying his mother's cassava farm near their house. 

 The Victim who's fighting for his life told Vanguard that the incident happened inside the town on Monday.

According to him, "I saw them destroying my mother's cassava planted near our new house. So I told them to take their cows away, my two friends were with me. 

"Before I knew it, the short one stoned me, I was shocked and told them to leave. So they left, moment later I crossed to the side where I hard my palm press, with my friends monitoring work in the new house.

"I didn't know that the tall one has laid ambush for me, as he chased me I fell and he started butchering me, as I shouted, a woman and one boy rushed towards me and he ran away. He cut my two hands, part of my face including one eye. I was rushed to the hospital by my friends and the two others." He narrated. 

Mother of the victim, Mrs. Mary Fresh Efeurhobo, corroborated the victim's story when Vanguard visited her at Kokori. 

Flanked by some women folks, Mary added, "All I can say is that God saved my son, but am calling on the government that we don't want to see any cow in Kokori. 

"We have lived in constant fear of the herdsmen and cannot go to the farm, now, they have come to the Community to attack my boy because they want to destroy the small house farm. 

"Kokori people are very angry and you can see the angry women with me here. Government must save my son and save us from this calamity." She added. 

The Monday incident has reignited fears over growing insecurity and violent clashes involving herdsmen in the area. 

It is coming days after suspected herdsmen killed a young man at nearby Orhoakpor Community and left with his head. 

The horrifying incident has left residents shocked, angry, and fearful, as women and youths took to the streets in protest, demanding justice and immediate action from the authorities.

When Vanguard visited, angry youths in tricycles were making announcements of no entry to herdsmen in Kokori and vowed to ostracize anyone collaborating with herdsmen in the Community. 

Eyewitnesses claim that the herdsman, attacked the victim with a sharp cutlass, inflicting fatal injuries before fleeing the scene. 

The brutal attack has sparked outrage across Kokori, with community security guard condemning what they described as a “senseless and savage act.”

According to, Joseph Esegine, a Forest guard service leader, "This is not the first time we are raising alarm. Our people are living in fear. How many more must die before the government acts?”

Following the incident, tension escalated rapidly as angry youths threatened reprisals, they mobilize into the bushes with no success.

A source told Vanguard that heavy security presence may be brought into the community to forestall a breakdown of law and order. 

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe confirmed awareness of the incident and stated that an investigation is ongoing, assuring the public that efforts are being intensified to apprehend the suspect and bring all those responsible to justice.

Meanwhile, the attack has once again drawn attention to the lingering crisis between local farming communities and roaming herdsmen despite the existence of an anti-open grazing law passed by the Delta State House of Assembly.