BIRNIN KEBBI — No fewer than eight people have been killed in a violent clash between farmers and herders in Gulma Town, Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed the incident on Tuesday, saying the victims included one farmer and seven herders, while five persons, including a woman, were rescued by security operatives.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, the violence erupted around 3:00 p.m. on Monday after a herder, identified as Yaron Buba-Dogo, allegedly allowed his cattle to stray into the farmland of one Alhaji Aminu Ala, destroying crops.
Usman said an argument broke out between the two men, during which the farmer was allegedly stabbed in the neck and died at the scene.
The killing reportedly sparked outrage among residents, who mobilised and attacked the herder, killing him and setting his body ablaze.
“The mob thereafter launched further attacks on members of the affected community,” the police spokesman said.
He added that despite efforts by security personnel to restore calm, four more people were killed and their bodies burnt beyond recognition, while two additional corpses were later recovered from a farmland on the outskirts of Gulma Town.
Police operatives were, however, able to rescue five people trapped during the violence and evacuated them to the Argungu Divisional Police Headquarters for safety.
The command said security has since been reinforced in the area to prevent further breakdown of law and order, while investigations into the incident are ongoing.