The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested four suspects over a clash between farmers and herders in Guda Village, Ningi Local Government Area of the state, which left one person dead and several houses burnt.
The deceased, identified as Usman Jibrin, 40, reportedly died while receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the clash.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.
According to the statement, the incident occurred on September 23, 2026, when three farmers from Guda Village went to their farms on Guda Hill and discovered that cattle belonging to a herder were grazing on and destroying their crops.
Habib said the farmers chased the cattle to the herders’ settlement, where an argument broke out and escalated into a fight, leaving the three farmers injured.
He added that some youths from Guda Village subsequently mobilised in retaliation and set houses in the herders’ settlement ablaze.
The statement read, “On September 23, 2026, at about 0740hrs, three farmers from Guda Village went to their farms on Guda Hill and found cattle belonging to a herder grazing on and destroying their crops.
“They chased the cattle to the herders’ settlement, where an argument ensued and degenerated into a fight. In the process, the three farmers sustained injuries.
“Sadly, in retaliation, some youths from Guda Village mobilised and set ablaze houses at the herders’ settlement.”
The police spokesman said operatives from the Ningi Division responded promptly to the incident, restored normalcy and evacuated the injured to the General Hospital, Ningi, for medical attention.
He, however, said one of the injured farmers later died while receiving treatment.
Habib disclosed that the police arrested four suspects on October 8, 2026, following intelligence-led operations.
He said the suspects were arrested in connection with criminal conspiracy, causing grievous hurt, mischief by fire and culpable homicide.
The statement added, “Through intelligence-led efforts, our operatives have, on October 8, 2026, arrested four suspects in connection with the offences of criminal conspiracy, causing grievous hurt, mischief by fire and culpable homicide.”
The police spokesman said the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, had directed that the suspects be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Bauchi, for a thorough and discreet investigation.
According to Habib, the commissioner commiserated with the bereaved family and those who lost property in the incident.
He quoted the commissioner as assuring residents that “no one will be allowed to take the law into his own hands.”
Aliyu also assured the public that justice would be served and urged communities across the state to embrace dialogue and peaceful coexistence, particularly between farmers and herders, to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
