The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested four suspects following 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.
Habib said the incident occurred on September 23, 2026, when three farmers from Guda Village discovered cattle belonging to a herder grazing on and destroying their crops on Guda Hill.
According to him, 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 the village later 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, restored normalcy and evacuated the injured to the General Hospital, Ningi, for treatment.
However, one of the injured farmers later died while receiving medical attention.
Habib said four suspects were arrested on October 8, 2026, following intelligence-led operations.
He said they were arrested in connection with alleged 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.”
Habib further disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, had ordered the transfer of the suspects to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for a thorough and discreet investigation.
According to the police spokesman, the commissioner commiserated with the bereaved family and residents who lost property in the incident.
Aliyu assured residents that “no one will be allowed to take the law into his own hands”.
He also promised that justice would be served and urged communities across the state to embrace dialogue and peaceful coexistence, particularly between farmers and herders, to prevent similar incidents.