One dead, four arrested in Bauchi farmers-herders clash

The Bauchi State Police have arrested four people after a fight between farmers and herders in Guda Village, Ningi Local Government Area. This clash resulted in one person dead and several houses burnt down.

The deceased, Usman Jibrin, 40, died while getting treatment for injuries from the fight.

Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, shared this information in a statement on Friday.

According to the statement, the fight happened on September 23, 2026. Three farmers from Guda Village went to their farms on Guda Hill and found cattle belonging to a herder eating and ruining their crops.

Habib said the farmers chased the cattle back to the herders' settlement. An argument started, which turned into a fight, injuring the three farmers.

After this, some youths from Guda Village gathered and retaliated by burning houses in the herders' settlement.

The statement explained, “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 officers from the Ningi Division quickly responded, helped restore peace, and took the injured to the General Hospital, Ningi, for treatment.

Unfortunately, one of the injured farmers later passed away in the hospital.

Habib said police arrested four suspects on October 8, 2026, based on intelligence operations.

He mentioned that these suspects are linked to criminal conspiracy, causing serious injury, arson, 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 also noted that the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has ordered the suspects be moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for a detailed investigation.

According to Habib, the commissioner expressed sympathy to the family of the deceased and those who lost property in the clash.

He quoted the commissioner as saying, “No one will be allowed to take the law into his own hands.”

Aliyu assured everyone that justice would be served. He also called on communities across the state to focus on dialogue and peaceful living, especially between farmers and herders, to prevent similar incidents from happening again.