Herder

Author: Gist Correspondent

A yet-to-be-identified herder was killed and about 11 cows died in a road crash involving a Mercedes-Benz car and a herd of cattle at Evekwu, Rumuodogu, along the East-West Road in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The accident occurred on Thursday when the cattle were reportedly crossing the highway and the speeding vehicle struck the herd and the herders.

An eyewitness said the vehicle was travelling in a convoy and that its occupants abandoned the damaged car before leaving the scene in another vehicle.

Police officers from the Emohua Division responded to the incident and evacuated the victim, while another injured herder was taken to a hospital for treatment.

A video from the scene showed several dead cattle in the bush, with some people gathered around the animals.

The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, confirmed the incident on Friday.

Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, said one herder died while another sustained injuries and was receiving treatment.

She added that the owner of the Mercedes-Benz fled before the arrival of the police, while the deceased was later taken away by his relatives.

“The injured cattle rearer is responding to treatment. Investigation is ongoing,” Agabe said.

The incident has renewed concerns over the dangers posed by cattle crossing major highways and the need for effective measures to prevent collisions between livestock, herders and motorists.