Over the weekend, the Oloibiri Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State was thrown into mourning, as a farmer who is also a hunter reportedly killed himself with a Dane gun he used to hunt animals in the forest.
Community members told Daily Trust that the middle-aged hunter, identified as Mr Claude Tonworio, was said to have killed himself with a Dane gun hanging on his neck while trying to transfer his harvested farm produce with his canoe to the upland.
Tonworio, a father of six, who is also a civil servant was said to have killed himself on August 26, while he was preparing to ‘enjoy the weekend’ with his family.
A family source told newsmen that the incident has left pain and sorrow to the entire family, having lost a loved one in such a manner, explaining that when the corpse was discovered, the bullet exploded and shattered the head of the deceased.
The source said, “The whole community is still in shock of his death. He is a civil servant but most weekends he comes to the village to stay with the family, and this Saturday was one of such. He left the family to the farm, with his tools and hunter gun to also hunt animals.
“He usually goes in a canoe where he keeps what he harvests. On Saturday August 26, he went on his normal hunting while his family was waiting for his return. He actually came back and was trying to bring in the farm produce then we heard a loud sound but we didn’t suspect something had gone wrong. But by the time people went outside they discovered he was lying in the mud bleeding and struggling for survival.
“All attempt to rush him to the hospital was not productive, as he died on the way. The corpse was later taken to waterside for rituals as the custom demands. He must have slipped and fell, so the gun which was loaded already exploded. It is a sad incident for the family. Who will take care of the six children he left behind” She said.
When contacted, police spokesman in Bayelsa State, SP Asinim Butswat, said the incident is yet to be reported to the police.
