Farmer killed during ‘clash with herders’ in Niger state

A farmer has been reportedly killed following a dispute with herdsmen in Niger state. 

The farmer was said to have protested the incursion of cattle on his farmland in Barkuta village, Bosso LGA of the state.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, said the incident resulted in a reprisal attack.

Makama said the farmer, identified as Sule Mohammed, approached the herdsmen to complain about the destruction of his crops by cattle.

The publication said the conflict started on August 26.

“In retaliation for the farmer’s death, the Gbagyi villagers launched an attack on the herdsmen’s settlement near Barkta village,” the sources said.

“This led to a violent clash between the two groups, significantly escalating tensions in the area.

“The security situation in Barkta village is currently calm, but there remains a heightened sense of fear and unease among the villagers.”

The publication added that local sources raised concerns over the possibility of escalating hostilities or retaliatory actions.

Wasiu Abiodun, police spokesperson in the state, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday.

Abiodun said some residents also lost their lives during the clash, adding that the corpse of the farmer was found in a river near the village.

“On 27/08/2024 at about 0700hrs, report received indicated that one Alh. Sule Moh’d of Barkuta Village, Bosso LGA went to his farm with his son, and sighted some cattle on the farm, he instructed his son to go home while he traced for the owner of the cattle,” the statement reads.

“The Alh. Moh’d didn’t return home which necessitated his family to search for him, and unfortunately, he was found dead in a river within the area suspected to have been killed by a yet to be identified person.

“Consequently, this led to a little inter-tribal attack in the area and few persons lost their lives.”

The police spokesperson said Galadima Lassa, area commander of Bosso division, led tactical teams to the area and normalcy was restored.

He said the command is intensifying efforts to arrest the perpetrators, adding that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.