By Desire Emmanuel
Eight persons have been confirmed dead while police said they rescued five others during a clash between farmers and herdsmen at a community in Kebbi State.
The clash occurred on Monday, June 22, around 3:00 p.m. in Gulma Town, Argungu Local Government Area of the state, which resulted in the death of one farmer and seven herders.
It was gathered that trouble began when a herder, Yaron Buba Dogo, allegedly allowed his cattle to stray into the farmland of one Alhaji Aminu Ala, destroying crops. A confrontation ensued, during which the farmer was reportedly stabbed in the neck.
Following the incident, a mob mobilised, attacked the herder, killed him, and allegedly set his body ablaze.
The mob was said to have thereafter carried out further attacks on members of the herders community.
Despite the intervention of security operatives, four additional persons were killed and their bodies burnt beyond recognition. Two more corpses were later recovered from a farmland outside Gulma Town.
According to a statement by the state police command on Tuesday, June 23, the police subsequently rescued five persons, including one woman, who were trapped during the incident and moved them to safety at Argungu Police Station.
It added that a joint security operation has been deployed to the area, while a curfew has been imposed by the government to maintain peace and prevent further escalation.
“Investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for the killings,” the command said in the statement.
