Fulani herdsman stabs youth over stolen money

ABAKALIKI-EBONYI state police command said it had arrested a middle aged Fulani man identified as Musa of Amasari in Afikpo North Local Government Area for allegedly killing one Chibueze Nkwagu, 23, of Ishiokpa village in Sharon, Izzi LGA of the state over issues relating to stolen money.

It was learnt that the deceased was stabbed on the stomach with a dagger by the suspect when he allegedly attempted to steal money belonging to the Fulani man in the community
Speaking with newsmen yesterday, the Ebonyi state Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP Sylvester Igbo stated that the death of Chibueze Nkwagu provoked youths in the area who went berserk and started destroying huts and properties belonging to the Fulani herdsmen in the area.
Igbo who disclosed that the peace meeting by the Command and elders of Sharon community in Izzi Local government area had led to the return to peace in the area stressed that there was no need for the youths to have engaged in such act since the suspect had been arrested and would soon be charged to court According to him: “At about 10:30 hours, a report was received from one Nnamdi Nkwagu of Ishiokpa village in Sharon that one Fulani man by name Musa of Amasari in Afikpo North Local government area of the state killed his brother, Chibueze Nkwagu aged 23 years.
“The information we received stated that as the deceased attempted to steal money from the suspect, the suspect used a dagger he had on him and inflicted injuries on the stomach of the deceased who later fell down and died instantly.
“Immediately the Fulani man was arrested and taken to the police station while police is going on with the investigation but while the corpse of the deceased was taken to St Vincent Hospital, Ndubia for an autopsy to be conducted, we received a report that the youths from
Sharon went to the bush where the Fulani people had their huts and started destroying and setting it ablaze”
The police spokesman revealed that a manhunt had commenced to arrest the youths who engaged in the wanton destruction of properties belonging to the Fulani people in the area. He advised aggrieved individuals in society to avoid engaging in self help but rather report incidences of crimes to the appropriate quarters as measures would be taken to quell the situation.
He added: “When the information got to the police, a team of policemen were dispatched to the troubled zone and the youths on seeing the police, took to their heels. The police is making frantic effort to ensure that these youths that engaged in the burning of the houses of the Fulani people are arrested and I know that since a manhunt has been intensified that very soon arrest will be made for them to tell us why they engaged themselves in self help; despite the fact that the suspect that allegedly committed the crime has been arrested and is in
police custody.
“So, that is the situation and I believe that after the necessary preliminary investigation has been concluded, the suspect will be charged to court to face the offence he has committed. Meanwhile, a senior police officer led a team of police officers to the area where
they had talk with the elders of the area. The purpose was to calm the aggrieved youths in the community and advised them that there was no need for their action since the man that committed the offence has been arrested.
“They should not resort self help since police in handling the matter and that they should stop destroying the properties of the Fulani settlers in the area and I think that has gone a long way to bringing peace in the community”.