Farmers/Herders’ Clash Claims Two Lives, Scores Injured In Jigawa

By Mohammed Abubakar Dutse

Fresh farmers/herders’ clash in Gauraki village of Sundimina District in Birnin Kudu local government area of Jigawa state has reportedly claimed two lives, leaving scores injured and several houses set alight.

This is coming barely days after incident was recorded in Baranda village in the same local government which has left eight people injured.

The State Police Command, which confirmed the latest development early on Wednesday said five suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident and about 15 cows have so far been recovered.

The spokesperson of the command, DSP Lawan Shisu Adam in a statement said the attackers were said to have come from the neighbouring Katsina state, allegedly on the invitation of the indigenous herders.

He confirmed that arrest was successfully carried out by the force tactical team with other sister security agencies deployed to the area, noting, however, that normalcy had been restored in the area.

Sccording to the statement, “The command received information from reliable sources that, herders in their large numbers of cattle from Katsina state on the invitation by the indigenous herders were sighted moving towards Safa and Gauraki villages in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area.

“As a result of that, hundreds of farmlands along the route were destroyed by their animals.

“However, the police on receiving the report, the Area Commander of Birnin Kudu Area Command mobilised patrol teams alongside Nigeria Security And Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) to rushed to the scenes.

“Farmers were also mobilized in large numbers to defend their farmlands before the arrival of a team.

“Consequently, the duo attacked themselves, though, the team succeeded in dispersing the warring parties.

“As the visiting herders made off with their cows, two people were arrested by police one from each side.

“I was gathered that two person lost their lives, three (3) of the Indigenous herders’ houses were set on fire, fifteen (15) cows of the visiting herders’ abandoned their cows which lead to the arrest of (5) Indigenous herders who were suspected to have invited the herders.

“Currently, normalcy has been restored, as Police tactical teams in collaboration with local Vigilante, Hunters, and Yan Bulala that were deployed to the areas to forestall further breaches of peace.

“Meanwhile, an investigation have commenced, as anyone found guilty after a discreet investigation will be prosecuted accordingly.”