At least 20 cattle have been shot and wounded by residents at Abrewnkor near Pai-Katanga in the Krachi East Municipality of the Oti region.

The shooting of the animals follows an alarm raised by Napare Yaw, 39, who fell off a motorbike after he rode into herds of cattle on Friday evening.

According to Napare Yaw, he was going to buy fuel in other parts of the community when someone flashed a torchlight into his eyes.

He lost control over the motorbike and fell in an attempt to avoid running into the herds of animals.

According to him, inquiries from the about seven herdsmen around got provocative answers.

He said there was a misunderstanding between him and the herdsmen who allegedly attempted to stab him.

The townfolks were agitated when they heard about the attack. They started mobilising arms and ammunition to shoot the animals.

According to some residents, over 1000 cattle were returning to Pai-Old Town through the community on Friday evening and they were attacked.

The Assemblymember for Katanga West Evans Tinando told JoyNews he received desperate calls on Friday evening at about 7 pm about the clash between the two parties.

The residents called the police to prevent the matter from getting out of hand. Three cattle were shot dead while twenty of them were wounded in the eye and leg.

Mr Evans Tinando is calling for calm between the feuding parties to prevent needless reprisal attacks.

“My appeal is that the herdsmen and the people of Abrewankor would exercise patience while we get to the bottom of the matter," he said.

He added that they called the police to maintain calm and hoped that they would bring closure to these needless disturbances in the area.

The herdsmen are also alleging that they cannot find three of their colleagues. They fear a stray bullet may have hit them.

The assembly member said four of the seven herdsmen involved in the fracas have been found but suspected that the rest may be seeking refuge in nearby communities.

“Four of them came this morning. It is left with three of them. I think they may be hiding in nearby communities,” he added.

Yaw Napare, whose complaint triggered the disturbances, told JoyNews one of the herdsmen threatened to show him "where power lies" if they meet out of town.

He, however, denies any involvement in the shooting of the cattle as he was rushed to the Worawora Government Hospital the night of the incident.

He has sustained two cuts on the shoulder that suspected to be from a sharp object. The police is also investigating the matter to bring culprits to book.