Clash between farmers and herders in Kebbi results in eight deaths.

By Haruna Aliyu

At least eight people died in a clash between farmers and herders in Gulma town, Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

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

In retaliation, members of the farming community attacked Fulani settlements in the area, killing about eight people and heightening tensions.

Confirming the incident to our correspondent, 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 said the herder had long ago sent his cows to the person he killed. When the latter tried to push the cows away, he broke the leg of one cow, creating animosity between them.

The attacker later returned to the farm and confronted the farmer over the broken cow. He was pinned by the farmer, but while under the Fulani man drew a knife and stabbed him, leading to his death.