1 Killed, 15 Injured In Yobe Farmers/Herders’ Clash

One person was killed and 15 others wounded in a clash between herders and farmers in Buni-Yadi, the headquarters of Gujba local government area of Yobe State.

The chairman of the farmers’ association in Gujba council, Mallam Ali Maibindiga said the incident occurred when the herders invaded the farmlands of the deceased and those who sustained injury.

Maibindiga said the deceased, Abdulkarim Usman was killed when he was evacuating his farm produce while the others were injured during arguments with the herders who invaded their farmlands.

He said, "I have to tell you that the situation is getting out of hand because Abdulkarim was killed after telling the herders to restrain from invading his farmland until he is through, which will not take long. Apart from killing Abdulkarim, two tricycles (Tabare) loaded with grains were also burnt down by the herders.

"As I am talking to you, I have over 15 of my members shot with bows and arrows or injured with cutlasses only because they stopped the herders from invading their farms though many have lost their farm produce to the herders’ invasion already," the chairman said.

Also, two injured persons, Usman Isa of Jiri village and Sama'ila Yahaya of Buni-Yadi of Gujba local government urged the government to wade into the matter as the herders are no longer ready to stop invading farmlands.

"As you can see, I am on medication due to injuries sustained at my arm and fingers cutoff by the herders. It is quite unfortunate that while farmers need little time to evacuate their farm produce, the other party thinks otherwise," Isa said.

The chairman Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Gujba local government, Alhaji Haro Abubakar confirmed the incident attributing the annual crisis between the farmers and herders to poor planning on grazing and farming areas.

Abubakar, who is also the Sarkn Fulani of Gujba Emirate said, "Farmers and herders are twin brothers but lack of demarcation for each party by the government is the major factor. We're doing our best in enlightening our members on the need to live in peace with farmers but you know some people find it difficult to follow simple instructions and advice."