A farmer-herder clash has left one person seriously injured in Jigawa State after a disagreement over farm produce turned violent.
PUNCH Online learnt that clashes between farmers and herders are common in some parts of Jigawa State towards the end of the rainy season, when cattle movement intensifies and farmers are yet to harvest their crops.
The latest incident occurred in Turawa Village, Sule Tankarkar Local Government Area, where herders allegedly destroyed crops while passing through farmlands.
Confirming the incident in a statement made available to journalists in Dutse on Wednesday, the Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC Jigawa State Command, Badaruddeen Tijjani, said the command received a distress call over the clash.
“At approximately 1800 hours on today (Wednesday), the Sule Tankarkar Divisional Office, under the leadership of SC Isah Abdullahi Guyu, received credible information from a resident of Turawa Village, identified as Mas’ud, reporting that a group of herders allegedly damaged farm produce while passing through the village,” Tijjani said.
He explained that the destruction of the farm produce triggered a confrontation between the herders and some farmers.
Tijjani said one person sustained serious injuries during the clash.
He identified the victim as 45-year-old Babangida Danjuma.
“The victim, identified as Babangida Danjuma, aged 45, was immediately evacuated to the General Hospital, Sule Tankarkar, for initial medical attention,” Tijjani said.
He added, “He was subsequently referred to Rasheed Shekoni Teaching Hospital, Dutse, for further emergency treatment.”
The PRO disclosed that the herders fled the scene after the incident.
“Following the incident, the herders reportedly fled the scene, abandoning six donkeys and one cow,” he said.
He noted that security personnel had been deployed to monitor the situation.
Tijjani said the corps was collaborating with other security agencies and community stakeholders to maintain peace and prevent further escalation.
He quoted the State Commandant as urging both parties to exercise restraint.
“The Commandant urges farmers and herders to exercise restraint, respect one another’s rights, and refrain from taking the law into their own hands,” Tijjani said.
He further advised both parties to resolve disputes through lawful and established channels.
Tijjani also called on members of the public to promptly report suspicious movements and threats to public safety to the nearest security formation.
He reiterated the corps’ commitment to protecting lives and property and maintaining peace, law and order across Jigawa State.
