From Ahmad SAKA, Bauchi
Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed the death of nine and six injured persons in a clash between herders and farmers in Zadawa Village of Misau Local Government Area of the Bauchi State.
Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), DSP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil confirmed the clash while answering a question from newsmen in Bauch.
He said that from the sketchy report available, nine people were confirmed dead while six were injured and presently receiving treatment, and the situation has been put under control as Police personnel and other security agents have been drafted to maintain peace in the affected areas as well as avert reprisal attacks.
Chairman of Misau LGA, Yarọ Mohammed Gwaran, and a member representing the area in the State House of Assembly, Hon Bakoji Aliyu Bobbo, while speaking with journalists via telephone interview confirmed the violent clash in the area and the casualties, but assured that security personnel has since taken control of the situation and calm is gradually returning.
“Presently the situation has been bought under control as security agents have been drafted to the area to keep the peace”.
Bakoji Bobbo added that a stakeholders meeting was ongoing, as of the time he spoke on how to amicably resolve the issue considering that it was a minor misunderstanding between brothers.
A senior official in the Misau LGA said that the clash was over ownership of land in the surrounding settlement where herders are occupying for grazing over the years, but which was to be converted to farmland by the authorities, a development that did not go down well with the herders.
He said that the issue has been lingering for a long time with the Fulani herders resisting the move to make the area a farming land. Not even the assurance of a grazing section for them could pacify them.
An official narrated that sometime last week, the local government authorities went to the area to mark out the two portions for the herders and the farmers, but the herders resisted and chased them away, a development that sparked violent reaction but the people went back and on Monday, the LG officials went back to the place with security backing but the herders were said to have violently reacted and a clash erupted leading to deaths and serious injuries from machete and other sharp objects.
He said that the Emir of Misau, Ahmed Suleiman had on few occasions called the warring parties for a truce in his palace as a father to all, but they refused to listen to the appeal.
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, DSP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil confirmed the clash while answering a question from newsmen in Bauch.){kind=link}