One dead, one injured in farmers-herders fight in Niger community

A fight over cattle damaging farmland has led to one person dead and another injured in Beji, Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State.

The clash involved a Gbagi farmer and a Fulani herder, according to sources from the community.

A source who wanted to stay anonymous said the farmer was on his land when he saw cattle eating his crops. He confronted the herder and chased the cattle away. But the cattle came back, leading to another argument.

The source said things turned violent when the herder pulled out a sword. In the fight that followed, the farmer was stabbed and tried to run away while the herder and others chased him. Before he collapsed from his wounds, he managed to stab one of the herders with his own weapon.

The injured farmer died before reaching the hospital, while the injured Fulani man was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Speaking about the incident, the Chairman of Bosso Local Government, Abdullahi LaKa, called the clash unfortunate. He said such fights often happen during farming season when animals stray into farms.

“The conflict between farmers and herders in Beji is not new. During the rainy season, disagreements often happen because livestock stray into farmlands and destroy crops, leading to clashes,” Mr Laka said.

He urged farmers and herders to show restraint and settle their differences peacefully to avoid more loss of lives.

The council chairman also called for calm and asked residents not to take the law into their own hands or seek revenge.

He mentioned that the local government is working with security agencies and community leaders to make sure the situation does not get worse.

The police spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident, saying, “On 7/7/2026 at about 1.30 p.m., we received a report from Beji that three persons led by Abubakar Sadiq attacked Mustapha Ismail of Gidan-waya while he was farming at Danini village. Because of the attack, both Mustapha and Abubakar got serious injuries, while others ran away. The injured were taken to the hospital for treatment.

“Sadly, Mustapha later died, and the other is still getting treatment. We released the corpse to the family for burial, and we are working hard to arrest the suspects who fled.”

This clash in Beji happened just a week after one of the most deadly outbreaks of violence in Niger State this year. On 1 July, at least 48 people died in attacks and responses involving Fulani herders and members of the Kamuku ethnic group in communities around Tegina, Rafi Local Government Area.

Residents told PREMIUM TIMES that the violence started when armed attackers invaded a Kamuku community, killing many residents, mostly women, children, and the elderly.

The attacks led to retaliatory violence where several herders were also killed, and many houses, food stores, and vehicles were destroyed.

The conflict was linked to ongoing tensions that got worse after the killing of a Fulani community leader, Muhammed Shehu, in May.

Herders blamed local vigilantes for the killing, causing months of revenge attacks that broke the previously good relationship between farming and herding communities in the area.

The violence expanded to Kagara, the Rafi Local Government Area headquarters, prompting officials to impose a curfew after a mob tried to attack the general hospital where injured herders were being treated.

Military personnel secured the hospital to prevent the attack, and residents were told to stay indoors as security agencies worked to restore peace.

The new incident in Beji raises fears that if disputes over farmland and grazing areas are not quickly solved through talks, law enforcement, and community mediation, there could be more violence in Niger State.