The Kebbi Police Command on Tuesday, 23 June, 2026 confirmed that at least eight lost their lives in a violent clash between farmers and herders in Gulma Town, Argungu Local Government Area of the state, reports thegazellenews.com.
The State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, who confirmed the development through a statement issued in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday, said the victims comprised one farmer and seven herders, while five persons, including a woman, were rescued by security operatives during the unrest.
According to Usman, the sad incident occurred at about 3:00 p.m. on Monday, 22 June, 2026 when a herder, identified as Yaron Buba-Dogo, allegedly allowed his cattle to stray into the farmland of one Alhaji Aminu Ala, destroying crops.
The state police image- maker added in the statement that a confrontation ensued between the two men, during which the farmer was allegedly stabbed in the neck and died on the spot.
“The development triggered outrage among some residents, who mobilised and attacked the herder, killing him and setting his body ablaze.
“The mob thereafter launched further attacks on members of the affected community.
“In spite of efforts by security personnel to restore order, four additional persons were killed and their bodies burnt beyond recognition.
“Two more corpses were later recovered from a farmland on the outskirts of Gulma Town,” Usman said.
While stating that operatives successfully rescued five persons trapped during the violence and evacuated them to the Argungu Divisional Police Headquarters for protection, he added that a joint security team comprising the police and other security agencies had since been deployed to the area to forestall further breakdown of law and order.
Usman also disclosed as part of measures to restore peace and prevent a recurrence of the violence, the state government has also imposed a curfew on the affected community.
The state police publicist said normalcy was gradually returning to the area, with security personnel maintaining intensive patrols and surveillance operations, just as he also disclosed that investigations had commenced to identify and apprehend those responsible for the killings and destruction.
Usman quoted the state Commissioner of Police, Umar Hadejia, urging residents to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding and assuring that all those found culpable would be brought to justice.
Hadeijia reiterated the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state and appealed to members of the public to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information capable of preventing further violence.
