A deadly dispute between herders and farmers in Jigawa State’s Birnin Kudu Local Government Area on Tuesday claimed two lives and left three houses in ashes.
The state police command issued a statement on Wednesday, signed by its PRO, DSP Lawan Shiisu, in Dutse, confirming the incident.
The News Agency of Nigeria has reported that suspected cattle herders from Katsina State, reportedly invited by local herdsmen, attacked and destroyed farmlands in Safa and Gaurakai villages, causing widespread damage.
“On Tuesday, at about 1600hrs, the command received information from reliable sources that herders with a large number of cattle from Katsina State, on the invitation of the indigenous herders, were sighted moving towards Safa and Gauraki villages.
”As a result of this, farmlands along the route were destroyed.
“On receipt of the ugly report, the Area Commander of Birnin Kudu Area Command mobilised patrol teams alongside Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps and Vigilance Group of Nigeria and rushed to the scenes,” Shiisu said.
He explained that farmers in the affected communities were said to have mobilised in large numbers to defend their farmlands before the arrival of the security team.
The PPRO added that the parties consequently attacked themselves before the team succeeded in dispersing them.
According to him, as the visiting herders ward off their cattle, two persons, with one from each side, were observed to have lost their lives.
“Three of the indigenous herders’ houses were set on fire and 15 cattle abandoned and belonging to the visiting herders were recovered,” he said.
The PPRO also noted that five indigenous herders suspected to have invited the invading herders were apprehended.
He reported that normalcy has been restored in the affected areas, following the deployment of police tactical teams in collaboration with local vigilantes, hunters, and the Yan Bulala security network, to prevent further disturbances and ensure peace.
Shiisu confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and warned that anyone found guilty will be held accountable and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
