One injured in fight between farmers and herders in Jigawa

A clash between farmers and herders has left one person badly injured in Jigawa State. This happened after a disagreement over farm produce became violent.

PUNCH Online found that fights between farmers and herders happen often in some parts of Jigawa State at the end of the rainy season. This is when cattle move more and farmers have not yet harvested their crops.

The latest incident took place in Turawa Village, in Sule Tankarkar Local Government Area. Herders reportedly destroyed crops while passing through farmlands.

On Wednesday, the Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC Jigawa State Command, Badaruddeen Tijjani, confirmed the incident in a statement to journalists in Dutse. He said the command got a distress call about 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 explained.

He said the destruction of the crops led to a confrontation between the herders and some farmers. Tijjani noted that one person got serious injuries during the clash.

The injured man is 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 added.

He also mentioned, “He was subsequently referred to Rasheed Shekoni Teaching Hospital, Dutse, for further emergency treatment.”

Tijjani revealed that the herders ran away after the fight. “Following the incident, the herders reportedly fled the scene, abandoning six donkeys and one cow,” he said.

He pointed out that security personnel have been sent to watch over the situation. Tijjani said the corps is working with other security agencies and community leaders to keep peace and prevent more trouble.

He quoted the State Commandant as urging both farmers and herders to stay calm. “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 stated.

He also advised both sides to solve their disputes through lawful and established channels. Tijjani called on the public to quickly report any suspicious activities or threats to safety to the nearest security office.

He ended by saying the corps is dedicated to protecting lives and property while maintaining peace, law, and order across Jigawa State.