DUTSE, Jigawa – A violent confrontation between residents of Gululu village and a Fulani settlement in Yankunama, Miga Local Government Area of Jigawa State, resulted in 10 fatalities, the police confirmed on Friday, January 3, 2025.
The clash reportedly stemmed from the theft of hibiscus, recently harvested and stored in a shop owned by a Gululu farmer.
Villagers traced footprints from the broken shop to a nearby Fulani settlement, leading to an altercation.
Tensions Escalate
According to the village head, Malam Muhammad Sarkin-Dori, the confrontation escalated when herders allegedly armed with bows and arrows confronted the villagers.
The resulting violence left one villager, Dauda Kafinta, dead with arrow wounds, while four others sustained injuries and were hospitalized.
“The crisis began when villagers followed the footprints to the settlement,” Sarkin-Dori recounted.
“One man went missing and was later found dead, and several others were severely injured.”
Police Intervention
Jigawa State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Lawal Shiisu Adam, confirmed the incident in a statement.
“The violence broke out after villagers traced the suspected thieves and were attacked by Fulani herders,” he said.
Police teams from Miga and Jahun divisions were deployed to restore order, but the situation turned deadly. Nine bodies were recovered initially, with a tenth confirmed later.
Retaliation and Damage
In retaliation, enraged villagers attacked the Fulani settlement, setting houses ablaze across Miga and Jahun LGAs.
The destruction left many displaced, exacerbating tensions in the area.
Efforts to Restore Calm
Jigawa State Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Abdullahi, visited the scene with senior officers to assess the situation and convene a stakeholder meeting.
The discussions involved local leaders, vigilantes, and representatives of Miyetti Allah to prevent further violence.
“The police are committed to maintaining peace and order,” Abdullahi stated. “Investigations are ongoing to bring those responsible for this violence to justice.”
Public Assurance
Authorities have urged residents to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
The state government and police promised to address the underlying tensions and work toward a long-term resolution to conflicts between farmers and herders in the region.
This incident highlights the persistent challenges of resource-based conflicts in rural Nigeria, which often escalate into deadly violence with devastating consequences for affected communities.
