Eight persons have been killed in a violent clash between farmers and herders in Gulma Town, Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, while police operatives rescued five victims trapped during the unrest.
According to an official signed statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Kebbi State Command, SP Bashir Usman, the incident occurred on June 22, 2026, at about 3:00 p.m. when a herder, identified as Yaron Buba Dogo, allegedly allowed his cattle to stray into the farmland of Alhaji Aminu Ala, resulting in the destruction of crops.
The statement said a confrontation ensued between the two men, during which the farmer was allegedly stabbed in the neck and killed.
Following the incident, an angry mob reportedly descended on the herder, killed him and set his body ablaze. The violence subsequently escalated as the mob launched further attacks within the community.
Despite efforts by security operatives 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, bringing the total number of deaths to eight.
The Police Command disclosed that five persons, including a woman, were rescued from the violence and evacuated to the Argungu Police Station for safety.
In response to the crisis, a joint security team has been deployed to the affected area, while the state government has imposed a curfew to prevent further breakdown of law and order. Authorities said normalcy is gradually returning to the community as security patrols and surveillance operations continue.
The statement added that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for the killings and destruction.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Umar M. Hadejia, psc, MNIM, called on residents to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding, assuring the public that all those found culpable in connection with the incident would be brought to justice.
