At least two people have been killed and three houses burned as a result of a clash between herders and farmers in the Birnin Kudu Local Government Area of Jigawa State on Tuesday.
This was announced by the state police command in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Lawan Shiisu, in Dutse on Wednesday.
The incident reportedly occurred after suspected herdsmen from Katsina State, allegedly invited by local herdsmen, invaded and destroyed farmlands in Safa and Gaurakai villages in the area.
“On Tuesday, at about 1600 hrs, 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 the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Vigilance Group of Nigeria and rushed to the scenes,” Shiisu said.
He explained that farmers in the affected communities had gathered in huge numbers to defend their farmlands prior to the arrival of the security force.
According to the PPRO, the parties assaulted themselves before the crew could disperse them.
According to him, two people died when the visiting herders were warding off their livestock, one on each side.
“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 stated that five indigenous herders suspected of inviting the invading herders were arrested.
He stated that normalcy had been restored in the affected areas after police tactical units, in coordination with local vigilance group members, hunters, and the Yan Bulala security network, were deployed to prevent additional violations of the peace.
Shiisu stated that the situation was still being investigated and that anyone found guilty would face appropriate charges.
