At least two people have been killed and seven others injured following a violent clash between Fulani herders and residents of Dagaceri community in Birniwa LGA of Jigawa State.
The incident, which occurred around midnight on Wednesday, reportedly stemmed from lingering disputes between farmers and herders over grazing and farmland boundaries.
Residents said that the attack began when suspected herders invaded parts of the community, setting houses ablaze and attacking villagers.
“People were running everywhere. It was terrifying as attackers burned homes and unleashed violence on families,” an eyewitness, Hassan Abdullahi, told Punch.
Another resident, Izaddeen Usman, said he hid with his family in the bushes.
“We could hear people screaming. Everyone feared for their lives,” he said.
A local farmer, Malam Sani, blamed the crisis on continued trespass by cattle on farmlands.
“The herders’ cows kept destroying our crops. The tension has been building for weeks before it exploded into this violence,” he said.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in Jigawa, SP Shi’isu Adam, said seven suspects had been arrested in connection with the attack.
“Weapons including bows and arrows, cutlasses, mobile phones and local charms were recovered,” Mr Adam said.
He added that police operatives under Operation Salama were deployed to the area to restore calm.
“Our men are on high alert. We will not relent until those behind the attack are brought to justice,” he said.
A community leader, Malam Garba, appealed for peace, urging both sides to embrace dialogue.
“More loss of life cannot be tolerated. We must talk to one another and live peacefully,” he said.
Another elder, Usman Tela, said residents were hopeful that peace would return.
“We want to farm and raise our children without fear,” he said.
Security agencies have since intensified patrols in Dagaceri and neighbouring communities to prevent further violence.
Efforts to reach the leadership of the Fulani socio-cultural group, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, in the state were unsuccessful as calls to the group’s chairman were not answered.
A Jigawa-based human rights activist, Comrade Musbahu Basirka, condemned the incident and urged the government to act swiftly to protect vulnerable communities.
“The state must intervene to prevent further bloodshed. Violence only deepens divisions and suffering,” Mr Basirka said.
