Man killed in Bauchi farmer-herder clash

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with a farmer-herder clash in Guda Village, Ningi Local Government Area, which left a 40-year-old man dead and houses burnt.

The incident occurred on September 23, 2026, when three farmers reportedly discovered cattle belonging to a herder grazing on and destroying their crops on Guda Hill.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, the farmers chased the cattle to the herders’ settlement, where an argument broke out and escalated into a fight.

“The three farmers sustained injuries during the confrontation,” the statement said.

The police said some youths from Guda Village subsequently mobilised in retaliation and set fire to houses in the herders’ settlement.

Officers from the Ningi Division responded to the incident, restored normalcy and evacuated the injured to General Hospital Ningi for treatment.

However, one of the injured farmers, identified as Usman Jibrin, later died while receiving treatment.

The command said the four suspects were arrested on October 8 following intelligence-led operations.

They are being investigated for criminal conspiracy, causing grievous hurt, mischief by fire and culpable homicide.

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has directed that the suspects be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for a thorough and discreet investigation.

The statement quoted the commissioner as commiserating with the bereaved family and those who lost property in the incident.

He assured residents that no one would be allowed to take the law into their own hands and pledged that justice would be served.

The police commissioner also urged residents to embrace dialogue and peaceful coexistence, particularly between farming and herding communities.