No fewer than five people were injured in a farmer-herdsmen clash at Hayin Kogi forest in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
This was contained in a statement issued by DSP Lawan Shiisu, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, on Monday.
“Report at the command’s disposal revealed that at 1700HRS, farmers at the Hayin Kogi Forest were attacked by herders resident of Waza Fulani settlements of Birninkudu LGA while clearing bushes in preparation for wet season farming.
“As a result, some of the farmers escaped and abandoned their tricycles, phones and farm implements,” he said.
The PPRO explained that upon receipt of the report, police from the neighbouring Police Division, surrounding the forest were immediately mobilised to the scene, adding that a 42-year-old man and four others who sustained injuries had been taken to the Dutse General Hospital where they received treatment and have since been discharged.
“The belongings of the farmers were recovered and handed over to them,” Shiisu said.
He said that efforts are being intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects, while the case is being investigated.
”Normalcy has since been restored in the area. The Commissioner of Police, Ahmadu Abdullahi, organised a stakeholders’ meeting and ordered the arrest of the culprits.
”The CP has directed the Area Commander in charge of Birninku and Divisional Police Officers in charge of Birninkudu and Kiyawa to hold a stakeholders’ meeting to douse tension and avert a breach of peace in the area,” he said.