The Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed the death of one person and the arrest of five suspects following a violent clash between farmers and herders in Bursali Village, Zaki Local Government Area of the state.
The incident, according to a statement issued on Saturday by the Command’s spokesperson, Ahmed Wakil, occurred on November 26, after “herders from Jigawa State allegedly trespassed upon local farmland, encroached upon it, and destroyed the agricultural produce”
Wakil said the confrontation that ensued between the herders and local farmers led to the death of one herder.
“This regrettable act precipitated a confrontation between the herders and community members, during which one herder was killed,” he stated.
He added that upon receiving the distress report, the Divisional Police Officer of Zaki Division, SP Iliya Dogo, deployed detectives to the scene, leading to the arrest of five suspects.
“Five suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident, and a preliminary investigation is currently underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the clash.”
The Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State Command, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has directed that the case be transferred to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department, for a more comprehensive probe.
Aliyu assured residents of the Command’s commitment to preventing further unrest and ensuring that justice is served.
He appealed for calm, urging the public to shun acts of vengeance as normalcy has been restored to the area.
He also noted that officers have been stationed to forestall any reprisal attacks, adding that the suspects in custody will be profiled and prosecuted accordingly.
PUNCH Online reported that the Bauchi State Police Command in October had engaged stakeholders in the Darazo Local Government Area of the state to promote lasting peace following persistent farmer–herder conflicts in the region.
The initiative formed part of efforts to foster peace and security across the state, including a reaffirmation of the police command’s commitment to peace, the promotion of non-violent conflict resolution, and the adoption of alternative dispute resolution methods in collaboration with both communities.
Leave a comment