Mr Yahaya Muhammed Galadima, a 25-year-old mechanic who had his two hands cut off by gunmen suspected to be herders has recounted his travails to Daily Trust.
Galadima, who specialises in repairing J5 vehicles, was said to be ambushed by the suspected herdsmen while returning from Rukubi, Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. It was gathered that he was returning home from Rukubi after fixing a client’s J5 vehicle when some armed herders attacked him and amputated his two hands.
The victim, who is currently receiving treatment at the Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, in Lafia Local Government, spoke exclusively to Daily Trust on Sunday. Recounting the experience, Galadima, said that the incident occurred around 8 pm on Tuesday.
He said, “It happened around 8 pm on Tuesday night. I was with one of my boys, Salisu Haruna, who followed me to Rukubi, in Doma Local Government Area of the State. We went there on my motorcycle to work in one of my customer’s houses as his J5 had developed some mechanical fault.
“While on our way back from Agbabo along Rukubi before Yeluwa, all of a sudden some herders laid us ambushed with guns and dangerous weapons and attacked us. Before we knew what was happening both of us felt off my motorcycle and my boy sustained some injuries on his left leg. However, they didn’t hurt my boy.”
According to him, after they succeeded in stopping them, they started shooting sporadically into the air, asking that he should give them money. He immediately handed over all the money he had on him, including his mobile phone.
Galadima disclosed that the herders after they had inflicted several matchete wounds on him, they snatched his motorcycle.
“Before asking them what was wrong, they cut off my two hands,” he added.
Asked if his boy was also attacked, Galadima explained saying, “My boy was not hurt at all. He was watching helplessly how the herders cut off my hand.”
The victim said he started his mechanic carrier at the age of 8 before switching to specialise on J5 vehicles. According to him, he learnt how to become a specialised J5 mechanic in three years before he became an expert.
He noted that after spending three years he was ‘settled’ by his boss and opened his own mechanic workshop at Kilema before the unfortunate incident happened to him.
He stated, “I have been into this J5 mechanic for ten years now. Now my dreams have been shattered. How do I feed my lovely wife and three children with this present life situation?”
Galadima further revealed that he has four boys who are have been working with him before the incident, adding he is naturally gifted in mechanic work.
“I am in the hands of God and only Him can handle my situation. When I saw my two hands being cut off I immediately appealed to God to take my life because it is better I die than live without my two hands,” Muhammed Galadima who could not control the tears running down his cheeks lamented.
He disclosed that his assailants did not only cut off his hands but also stripped and dragged him on the road before they dumped him under a tree. Later, his client whose car he went to fix saw him where he was abandoned by the herders, saw his severed left hand and buried it.
Galadima maintained that his right hand which was dangling was finally cut off because he could not use it again, stating that some good samaritans brought him to the hospital unconscious before the arrival of the police.
Seeking the assistance of the government, individuals spirited bodies, non-governmental organizations and Civil society organizations, Galadima called on the state government to urgently address the persistent killings and attacks on innocent citizens of the state before it escalates into a communal crisis.
When contacted, the Nasarawa State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nansel Ramhan, said the command is yet to be informed about the unfortunate incident.
Ramhan, however, reiterated that the command would do everything humanly possible to ensure that those behind the act would be arrested and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.
The PPRO further appealed to the members of the general public that anybody with useful information that will lead to the arrest of the culprits should report to the nearest police station in the state.
