The police command in Ogun State said it had begun a manhunt for attackers of the village head of Seriki village, Ismail Adasofunjo in Alabata, Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi who spoke with newsmen confirmed the incident that suspected herdsmen had on Thursday night invaded the village and reportedly hacked the community’s 76-year-old leader.
The attackers reportedly invaded the village around 8:00pm, wreaking havoc including inflicting deep machete cuts on Adasofunjo’s head.
The 76-year-old man was attacked following his wife’s alleged failure to sell cigarettes to two herders on Thursday night.
He was later rushed to a nearby hospital after he had gone into a coma.
Three days after the incident, it was gathered that the septuagenarian had come out of the coma and was set to be discharged from the hospital as at Sunday.
While speaking on the incident, Oyeyemi said the police were aware and had begun moves to unravel the perpetrators of the heinous act.
He said: “The man (victim) is recuperating in the hospital and we have commenced an investigation into the incident.
“We are going to get them; we are closing in on them and as soon as we get them, we will tell the public.
“We are closing in on them, the Area commander had been there. We have partnered the villagers and we are getting useful information about the attackers.”
The Village head of Alabata, Chief Sanusi Waheed told Punch correspondent that the villagers had given the Fulani in the area an ultimatum to produce the attackers.
Chief Waheed further said there was a joint effort by police, vigilante and some villagers to search for the perpetrators. He stated that they will work tirelessly to make sure the said herdsmen are arrested.