The Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed the death of one person and the arrest of five suspects following a violent confrontation between farmers and herders in Bursali Village, Zaki Local Government Area.
Police spokesperson, Ahmed Wakil, disclosed in a statement on Saturday that the clash occurred on November 26 after “a group of herders from Jigawa State allegedly trespassed into farmlands and destroyed cultivated crops.”
According to him, tension escalated when irate community members confronted the herders, resulting in the death of one of them.
“This regrettable act precipitated a confrontation between the herders and community members, during which one herder was killed,” Wakil said.
He added that swift intervention by operatives from the Zaki Division, led by DPO SP Iliya Dogo, led to the arrest of five suspects at the scene.
“Five suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident, and a preliminary investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the clash,” he stated.
The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a more detailed probe.
He assured residents that security personnel have been deployed to prevent further unrest.
“We are committed to ensuring justice is served and maintaining calm in the affected community,” Aliyu assured, urging residents to avoid retaliation.
He further noted that the suspects will be profiled and prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations.
The command recently held a peace-building engagement with stakeholders in Darazo LGA as part of efforts to curb recurring farmers–herders conflicts across the state, promoting non-violent dispute resolution and strengthening community-police collaboration.
