Jigawa: 2 die, houses burnt in farmers, herders clash

The Jigawa State Police Command on Wednesday confirmed the death of two persons and the razing of three houses in a farmers-herders clash.

The clash occurred in Brinin Kudu Local Government Area of Jigawa State on Tuesday.

Spokesman of the Command, Lawan Shiisu said the clash was caused by suspected cattle herders from Katsina State allegedly invited by local herdsmen to destroy farmlands in Safa and Gaurakai villages in the area.

Shiisu disclosed this in a statement he issued in Dutse, the state capital.

According to Shiisu: “On Tuesday, at about 1600hrs, the command received information from reliable sources that herders with large number of cattle from Katsina state on the invitation of the indigenous herders were sighted moving towards Safa and Gauraki villages.

”As a result of this, farmlands along the route were destroyed.

“On receipt of the ugly report, the Area Commander of Birnin Kudu Area Command mobilised patrol teams alongside Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), and Vigilance Group of Nigeria (VGN) and rushed to the scenes.”

He explained that farmers in the affected communities were said to have mobilised in large numbers to defend their farmlands before the arrival of the security team.

The PPRO added that the parties consequently attacked themselves before the team succeeded in dispersing them.

According to him, two persons were observed to have lost their lives.

Shiisu said, ”Three of the indigenous herders’ houses were set on fire and 15 cattle abandoned.”

Jigawa: 2 die, houses burnt in farmers, herders clash