The police have confirmed that eight people lost their lives following a violent confrontation between farmers and herders in Gulma Town, Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
According to Zoyols Blog, the clash broke out on Monday after a dispute over farmland allegedly damaged by cattle, an incident that quickly escalated into deadly violence.
Spokesperson of the Kebbi State Police Command, Bashir Usman, said the trouble began around 3 p.m. when cattle being herded by a man identified as Yaron Dogo reportedly strayed into a farm owned by Aminu Ala, destroying crops in the process.
The disagreement that followed between both men turned fatal when the herder was accused of stabbing the farmer in the neck, leading to his death on the spot.
His killing triggered a violent reprisal as an angry mob attacked the herder, killed him, and set his remains on fire. The situation then spiralled further as the mob reportedly extended attacks to other residents in the area.
Despite efforts by security operatives to restore calm, four more people were killed during the unrest, with their bodies also burnt beyond recognition. Police later recovered two additional corpses from a nearby farmland, bringing the total number of fatalities to eight.
Security personnel were able to rescue five people, including a woman, who had been trapped during the violence. They were taken to safety at the Argungu Police Station.
Authorities have since reinforced security presence in the community, launching joint operations aimed at preventing further attacks and restoring normalcy. A curfew was also imposed following the outbreak of violence, while patrols and surveillance have been intensified.
The police noted that calm was gradually returning to the area, although investigations into the incident are still ongoing.
The Commissioner of Police in Kebbi State, Umar Hadejia, appealed to residents to remain peaceful and cooperate with security agencies as efforts continue to stabilise the community.
