The police have confirmed eight deaths in a violent clash between crop farmers and cattle herders in Gulma Town, Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
Reacting to the development, which occurred on Monday, the authorities have imposed a curfew and deployed additional security personnel to the area.
The Kebbi State Police Command said the violence followed a dispute over alleged destruction of farmland by cattle.
Police spokesperson Bashir Usman said in a statement on Tuesday that the incident began at about 3 p.m. when cattle being grazed by a herder, Yaron Dogo, allegedly stray into a farm belonging to Aminu Ala, destroying crops.
According to the police, in the ensuing argument, the herder allegedly stabbed the farmer in the neck, causing his death.
The killing sparked reprisals by an angry mob, which reportedly attacked the herder, killed him and set his body ablaze.
“The mob, thereafter, carried out further attacks on members of the affected community,” Mr Usman said.
He said despite efforts by security operatives to contain the violence, four additional persons were killed and their bodies burnt beyond recognition.
Police later recovered two more corpses from a nearby farmland, bringing the death toll to eight.
Five rescued
The police said security personnel rescued five persons, including a woman, who were trapped during the violence and evacuated them to safety at the Argungu Police Station.
Authorities have since launched a joint security operation in the area to prevent further attacks and restore order.
“The Police subsequently rescued five persons, including one woman, who were trapped during the incident and moved them to safety,” the statement said.
Curfew imposed
Following the violence, the Kebbi State Government imposed a curfew on the affected area as security agencies intensified patrols and surveillance operations.
Police said calm was gradually returning to the community, although investigations into the killings remain ongoing.
The Commissioner of Police in Kebbi State, Umar Hadejia, urged residents to remain peaceful and cooperate with security agencies.
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He assured that all individuals found to have participated in the killings would be identified and prosecuted.
Recurring tensions
The latest incident highlights persistent tensions between farming and pastoral communities in parts of northwestern Nigeria, where disputes over access to farmland, grazing routes and water resources have frequently escalated into deadly violence.
In Kebbi and neighbouring states, security agencies have repeatedly warned that unresolved farmer-herder disputes can fuel wider communal conflicts if not quickly addressed.
Police said efforts were underway to identify and arrest those responsible for the killings.