Kebbi: Eight killed in farmers-herders clash

Eight persons have been killed during a clash between farmers and herders in the Gulma community in Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State. The incident occurred around 3pm on Monday, when a herder, Yaron Buba Dogo, allegedly allowed his cattle to stray into the farmland of one Alhaji Aminu Ala, destroying crops. It was […]

Eight persons have been killed during a clash between farmers and herders in the Gulma community in Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The incident occurred around 3pm on Monday, when a herder, Yaron Buba Dogo, allegedly allowed his cattle to stray into the farmland of one Alhaji Aminu Ala, destroying crops.

It was gathered that a confrontation ensued, during which the farmer was fatally stabbed on the neck.

Following the incident, some people mobilised and attacked the herder, killing him, and setting his body ablaze.

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They, thereafter, carried out further attacks on members of the affected community.

The state police command’s public relations officer, SP Bashir Usman, in a statement in Birnin kebbi, said that despite the intervention of security operatives, four additional persons were killed and their bodies burned beyond recognition.

Usman said, “Two more corpses were later recovered from farmland outside Gulma Town. The Police subsequently rescued five persons, including a woman, who was trapped during the incident and moved them to safety at the Argungu police station.

“A joint security operation has been deployed to the area, while a curfew has been imposed by the government to maintain peace and prevent further escalation. Normalcy is gradually returning as patrols and surveillance continue.

“Investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for the killings.”

A source familiar with the incident said that there had been animosity between the deceased farmer and the herder, which triggered the violent killings.

He said, “Long ago, the herder allowed his cows  to stray into the farmer’s farm and when the farmer was trying to push the cows away, he broke one of the cows’ legs which created a problem between them.”

He said the latest clash  was triggered by the herder, when he returned to the late farmer’s farm to fight him for breaking his cow’s leg.

He added, “The farmer was stabbed to death and when people heard about what happened, they went to attack the herder and other Fulanis in their settlement.”