Herdsmen and villagers, on Saturday, engaged in a free-for-all over grazing land in Yobe State.

The dispute led to the death of a herdsman and the burning of farms and a building in the troubled village, according to the police.

A message from the Public Relations Officer of the Yobe Police Command, AbdulKarim Dungus, said Fulani herders invaded the farmlands of Garin Malam village in the Jakusko Local Government Area of Yobe State.

He explained that the herdsmen began to graze their livestock on farm produce, which led to the villagers coming out to attack them.

Dungus said the herdsmen’s action “suddenly made the communities, alongside their vigilantes, take action in order to stop the herders. A fight with bows and arrows resulted, leading to the death of one herder.

“Consequently, the herders stormed Garin Malam community, razed down a house and burnt down some farm produce belonging to the community.”

He, however, note that the situation was brought under control by the swift intervention of the police.

The PPRO said, “In the nick of time, the police rescued the situation, few people were arrested and hospitalised; the wounded ones are at the Nguru Federal Medical Centre.”

He added that the Commissioner of Police deployed a large number of police personnel to maintain peace and prevent further escalation of the situation.

Dungus said, “As some of you will recall, on December 3, 2020, the Commissioner of Police organised a stakeholders’ meeting of community leaders from the Geidam/Gujba LGA to proactively tackle such preempted situations which are perennial.”

Punch