Farmers/herders clash claims 8 lives in Kebbi

By Haruna Aliyu

No fewer than eight persons have been killed following a communal clash between farmers and herders in Gulma town, Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The violence reportedly began when a Fulani herder allegedly stabbed a farmer to death on his farmland.

In a reprisal attack, members of the farming community allegedly attacked Fulani settlements in the area, killing about eight persons and escalating tensions within the community.

Confirming the incident to our correspondent, the Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, said the clash occurred at about 3:00 p.m. on Monday and resulted in multiple fatalities.

“The incident was a reprisal attack following the stabbing of a farmer by a herder. We are currently in control of the situation, and eight people lost their lives,” he said.

The police spokesperson added that four persons were rescued by security operatives and taken to the hospital for treatment before being discharged.

According to him, normalcy has been restored in the area, while security personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order.

He urged residents to remain peaceful, cooperate with security agencies, and refrain from taking the law into their own hands, stressing the need to report grievances to the appropriate authorities.

A source familiar with the incident stated that the herder, long ago, sent his cows to the person he killed. When the latter was trying to push the cows away, he broke the leg of one cow, creating animosity between him and the herder.

The late attacker only returned to the farm and engaged the farmer for breaking the leg of his cow. He was pinned by the farmer but while under the Fulani man brought out a knife and stabbed him which led to his death.

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