Mentally-challenged man kills herbalist in Anambra

A man suspected to be mentally challenged man has reportedly killed a native doctor in Oba Aguleri in the Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Southern City News gathered that the incident triggered protest in the area leading to destruction of properties while business activities were grounded.

A source, who pleaded anonymity for fear of attack, told Southern City News that trouble began when the herbalist, whose name could not be ascertained as of press time, tied a goat that he bought for sacrifice to a tree and went into the market to pick other items, but did not see the goat when he returned.

The source said, “The native doctor enquired about the whereabouts of his goat as soon he noticed its sudden disappearance.

“He was informed that a madman untied it and took it to his house few kilometres away. They gave him the direction to the madman’s house and he went straight to the place.

“When he got there, he met the madman already slaughtering the goat. The madman told the herbalist that it was not only the herbalist that had a right to eat goat every day; saying it was his (madman’s) turn to eat the day’s goat.

“While the herbalist was still challenging the madman, the madman quickly dashed into his room and came out with a machete.

“The native doctor took to his heels on sighting the machete in the hand of the madman, but the madman pursued him and caught up with him and hacked him. The native doctor bled to death before help could come his way.”

Southern City News learnt that irate youths in the area mobilised and stormed the madman’s house to avenge the killing of their kinsman.

It was gathered that the intervention of security operatives prevented the situation from degenerating into a communal crisis.

When contacted, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed, confirmed the incident and disclosed that the suspect had been arrested.

Punch