Seven persons lost their lives, six others sustained injuries, and several houses were destroyed following a violent confrontation between farmers and herders in Lanzai and Dosho communities of Darazo Local Government Area, Bauchi State.
The Bauchi State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that security operatives had been deployed to the area and normalcy restored.
According to the command spokesman, SP Nafiu Habib, the command received an emergency report at about 9:20 a.m. on Thursday alleging that suspected Fulani herders attacked farmers who were applying local fertiliser on farmland located on the outskirts of Lanzai community.
The incident reportedly sparked a retaliatory attack by youths, who mobilised and invaded Dosho, a Fulani settlement. During the reprisal, approximately 50 huts were burnt, while household belongings were also destroyed.
“The incident resulted in the death of seven persons, while six others sustained varying degrees of injuries and are receiving medical treatment,” Habib said.
He further disclosed that the violence caused extensive destruction to residential buildings and personal property in the affected communities.
Habib said tactical police units were immediately deployed to the area to restore order, prevent further violence and commence investigations into the incident.
The state Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has directed a thorough probe into both the immediate and remote causes of the clash.
He assured residents that all those found culpable in the initial attack as well as the subsequent reprisal would be apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
