Kebbi Govt Vows Justice After Farmers-Herders Clash Claims Eight Lives

The Kebbi State Government has pledged to ensure justice for victims of the recent farmers-herders clash in Gulma, Argungu Local Government Area, which resulted in the deaths of eight people.

Deputy Governor Umar Abubakar Tafida gave the assurance while leading a state government delegation to condole with residents of Gulma on behalf of Governor Nasir Idris.

The delegation visited the Emir’s Palace in Argungu, where funeral prayers were held for the victims of the violence.

Speaking during the visit, Tafida conveyed the condolences of the state government to the bereaved families and assured them that those responsible for the killings would be identified and prosecuted.

He urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies investigating the incident, while encouraging affected families to bear their losses with patience and faith.

According to reports, the violence erupted on Monday following a dispute between a farmer and a herder over the alleged destruction of crops by cattle.

The disagreement reportedly escalated after the farmer was allegedly stabbed to death by the herder, triggering reprisal attacks that spread across the community.

Security authorities confirmed that eight people lost their lives in the violence, including the farmer and seven herders.

Five other persons, including a woman, were rescued by security operatives and evacuated to safety during efforts to contain the crisis.

Addressing residents during the condolence visit, the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Muhammad Mera, described the incident as one of the most tragic occurrences in the history of the emirate.

The monarch assured residents that justice would prevail and urged all parties involved to avoid retaliatory actions capable of worsening the situation.

He also called for peaceful coexistence among farmers and herders, stressing the need for dialogue and mutual understanding to prevent future conflicts.

A representative of the Fulani community expressed sadness over the incident and reaffirmed the commitment of the community to maintaining peaceful relations with other residents of the area.

Meanwhile, security has been strengthened in Gulma and surrounding communities following the deployment of a joint task force comprising police personnel and other security agencies.

The state government said investigations were ongoing to identify those involved in the killings and destruction of property, adding that measures were being implemented to restore peace and prevent a recurrence of the violence.