The farmer ran for his life, but he died on the spot after collapsing a few meters away from his home.
A false alarm was made regarding an attack by suspected herders, which led to the collapse and death of a farmer named Jeremiah Onuminya, who was 54 years old and lived in the Usha community in the Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
Onuminya was on his way to his farm on Monday, March 31, when a group of young people suddenly yelled out in a terror, “Fulani! Fulani!!” according to sources within the village who spoke to journalist.
In an effort to escape, he ran for his life, but he died on the spot after collapsing a few meters away from his home.
The incident took place a few days after it was reported that over twenty cows were poisoned and over 200 cows were also rustled, a scenario that had subsequently increased the level of animosity in the neighborhood.
In a statement released on Wednesday, April 2, Melvin James, the chairman of the Agatu Local Government, confirmed the tragedy and offered his condolences to the family of the deceased.
According to him, there was no sign of an attack, and preliminary investigations supported by the family and security services indicated that Onuminya passed out from weariness as he tried to flee.
In an effort to maintain the fragile calm that exists in the region, James advised the locals to refrain from disseminating information that has not been confirmed and could potentially cause panic.
False alarms, he said, presented significant dangers to the public’s safety as well as to the community’s attempts to maintain unity and security.
READ – Fears as Miyetti Allah Claims 20 Poisoned, 200 Rustled Cows