Farmer sent to prison for ‘inflicting injuries’ on herdsman

A magistrates’ court in Minna, Niger state, has ordered the remand of Sanusi Magaji, a farmer, for allegedly hurting one Manu Samalia, a herdsman.

Magaji is being tried on a count charge of causing hurt, an offence that contravene section 247 of the penal code.

Daniel Ikwoche, the prosecutor, told the court that members of a vigilance group of Nutuko village in Bosso local government area of Niger, arrested the accused and handed him over to the police on June 10.

Ikwoche alleged that the accused confronted and injured Samaila for grazing his cows on his farmland.

He told the court that the accused allegedly inflicted injuries on the victim’s two hands with a cutlass, an allegation the accused denied.

The prosecutor urged the court to remand the accused in prison to allow the police conclude its investigation in the matter.

Nasiru Muazu, the magistrate, granted the prosecution’s prayer and ordered the remand of the accused and adjourned the matter until July 10 for further mention.

Last week, a court in Adamawa imposed a death sentence on five persons reportedly arrested in connection with the death of a herdsman.

Civil society organisations and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) alleged that while attention is being paid to those who attack herdsmen, farmers and residents of local communities hardly get justice when attacked by herdsmen.