Like the Biblical Samson who slew a lion with bare hands, a 53-year-old Nigerian farmer reportedly re-enacted history by killing a lion that attacked him with bare hands at Ngokugh Mountains located in Benue State on Friday.
Mr Iorver Udele, from Ajio clan in Shangev-Ya district of Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State mauled the lion that attacked him.
Ngokugh Mountains is where Nigeria Military Jet crashed on September 17, 2006 killing 13 out of 18 Army Generals on board and three others rescued via the efforts of the then 14-year-old Detimbir Chia. With the aid of his dog, Chia who later joined Nigeria Army discovered the crash site.
Iorver was said to be working on his cassava farm located at Ngokugh Mountains where he was reportedly attacked by the roaring Lion.
In a self defense bid, Iorver launched a counter attack, in what could best be described as a fierce battle that lasted for about 10 minutes before he crushed the wild beast.
Speaking with reporter after the epic battle, he said, “I was working on my cassava farm at Ngokugh Mountains and suddenly, I heard a sound like that of a lion roaring and advancing towards me.”
“I was nervous. I summoned courage and confronted the Lion as it was coming towards me possibly to feast on me. It took about ten minutes during the struggle before I killed it,” said Iorver.
Mr Iorver who sustained varying degrees of injuries was immediately rushed to the General Hospital at Adikpo where he is said to be receiving treatment.
Family sources of Mr Iorver told journalists that he was indeed in stable condition as at the time of filing this report.
Also, a critical stakeholder in the area, Mr Lawrence Akerigba told our correspondent that Iorver sustained serious injuries during the encounter with the Lion and has been hospitalized, adding that the beast attacked the victim while working on his cassava.
When our reporter contacted the State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Anene Catherine Sewuese, who immediately called the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the local government area said they were yet to receive the report.
