The Kebbi State Police Command has launched an investigation into a deadly farmers-herders clash in Gulma Town, Argungu Local Government Area, which claimed the lives of eight persons and left several others affected.
According to the Command, the violence erupted on Monday, June 22, 2026, at about 3:00 p.m., following a dispute between a farmer and a herder over alleged destruction of crops by grazing cattle.
Police reports indicate that a herder, identified as Yaron Buba Dogo, allegedly allowed his cattle to stray into the farmland of Alhaji Aminu Ala, resulting in damage to crops. The disagreement reportedly escalated into a violent confrontation during which the farmer was fatally stabbed in the neck.
The incident sparked outrage among residents, leading to retaliatory attacks by an angry mob. The herder was reportedly killed and his body set ablaze. The violence subsequently spread within the community, resulting in the deaths of additional persons despite efforts by security operatives to contain the situation.
The Police disclosed that four more victims were killed and their bodies burned beyond recognition, while two additional corpses were later recovered from a farmland on the outskirts of Gulma Town. In total, eight persons lost their lives, comprising one farmer and seven herders.
Amid the unrest, police officers successfully rescued five persons, including a woman, who had become trapped during the violence. The victims were evacuated to safety at the Argungu Police Station.
To prevent further escalation, a joint security operation involving relevant agencies has been deployed to the area. The state government has also imposed a curfew in Gulma and surrounding communities to restore order and maintain peace.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Umar M. Hadejia, appealed to residents to remain calm and law-abiding while assuring the public that all those found responsible for the killings would be identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Police Command noted that normalcy is gradually returning to the affected area as security personnel continue patrols and surveillance operations. Investigations are ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident and bring all perpetrators to justice.
The tragic clash once again highlights the need for peaceful conflict resolution mechanisms and sustained efforts to address recurring tensions between farming and herding communities across the country.
