- The clash was caused by the destruction of farmlands by herders from neighbouring states
A violent clash between between farmers and herders in Nigeria’s north-west state of Jigawa has claimed two lives.
Houses were also set ablaze in the clash which happened in Birnin Kudu local government area of the state.
According to locals, the clash was caused by the destruction of farmlands by herders from neighbouring states, who were invited by indigenous herders.
The destruction of the agricultural produce forced the farmers to go after the herders leading to a clash that left many injured on both sides.
Police spokesman, DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday.
According to him, “information from reliable sources is that herders with a large number 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 this, farmlands along the route were destroyed.”
He said on receipt of the ugly 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) and rushed to the scenes.
Shiisu explained that “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.”
He said two (2) people— one from each side, lost their lives, three (3) of the Indigenous herders’ houses were set on fire, fifteen (15) of the visiting herders’ abandoned cows were found, and five (5) indigenous herders who were thought to have invited the herders were taken into custody.
He said normalcy has been restored as police tactical teams, in collaboration with local vigilante, hunters and Yan Bulala have been deployed to the area to forestall further breaches of peace