Metro
Herders kill farmers, burn crop harvests in Gombe communities
Two persons have been reported killed following two days of clashes between crop farmers and cattle herders in Powushi and Kalindi villages in Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State.
Residents said the attack also led to the destruction of vital agricultural produce.
A resident of the area, Christina Anthony, told PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone interview that the conflict began on Monday when a group of herders robbed a resident of Kalindi who was riding his motorcycle to his farm.
“The herders attacked the man and stole his motorcycle. After he returned home, he shared his harrowing experience with the youth in the community.
“A group of locals tracked the herders and recovered the stolen bike. However, the situation escalated dramatically when the herders returned on Wednesday and attacked the villagers,” she said.
Another resident, Adams Mailaka, also told this reporter that the violence on Wednesday began at Powushi before extending to Kalindi, leading to the death of two individuals.
“Yesterday’s (Wednesday) attack started in the afternoon when the herders invaded Powushi, a village neighbouring Kalindi and set farm produce on fire. As a result, one person was killed. Again, they continued at night and killed another person. Many have sustained injury and are in the hospital receiving treatment”, he said.
He identified the deceased victims as Yusuf Akwara, 35, and a 30-year-old man he simply called Gad.
Mr Mailaka said many residents had fled Powushi and Kalindi to seek refuge in nearby villages as fear and uncertainty gripped the area.
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between farmers and herders in the region.
The residents lamented the “ineffectiveness of security operatives” in addressing their security concerns.
Amos Danbauchi, a resident, said security operatives were slow to respond to distress calls, only responding after a representative was sent to the police division in Billiri LGA on Wednesday.
“Upon their arrival, the operatives merely observed the situation without taking decisive action,” Mr Danbauchi said.
He expressed disappointment that the security agencies did not deploy more operatives to the area to avert the second attack on Wednesday.
The communities urged the government to intervene and beef up security to prevent further attacks.
When contacted by PREMIUM TIMES, Ahmed Sanda, the divisional police officer (DPO) in charge of Billiri LGA, declined to comment.
However, the divisional crime officer (DCO), Garba Sambo, said the police had deployed officers to the area.
PREMIUM TIMES
A 35-year-old man, Gaddafi Isah, and Badamasi Isah, aged 30, have been beaten to death by a mob over the suspected theft of livestock at Katsayal village in the Sandamu Local Government Area of Katsina State.
A counter-insurgency expert focused on the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, made this known in a post on his X handle on Monday.
According to him, intelligence sources revealed that the two victims had driven their father’s vehicle to the outskirts of the village to learn to drive.
He stated that, in the process of the practice, a mob approached and accused them of stealing livestock.
He added that the mob surrounded the two men and beat them severely, causing them to sustain varying degrees of injuries.
“The victims were rescued by the security forces who were deployed to the scene and rushed to the Community Health Centre in Sandamu for treatment, but they were later confirmed dead by a medical doctor,” he posted.
He also disclosed that the vehicle the deceased victims were driving was also damaged during the attack.
He noted that the police had launched an investigation into the incident, and efforts were underway to apprehend the perpetrators responsible for the attack.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the state police command, Abubakar Aliyu, did not respond to calls made to his telephone line.
A text message sent had yet to be replied to as of the time this report was filed.
A tragic incident unfolded on the evening of Saturday, along the Bwari-Dutse Road in Abuja, where a shooting linked to a VIP convoy claimed the life of a bystander and left several others injured.
According to intelligence sources available to Zagazola Makama, the chaos began after a Daf Trailer Truck reportedly lost its brakes and rammed into five tricycles around 6:50 p.m., resulting in a deadly crash. Eight people were injured in the accident, and two later died from their injuries at Kubwa General Hospital.
As emergency responders and commuters grappled with the aftermath of the crash, a VIP convoy approached the gridlocked scene. Eyewitnesses reported that security personnel in the convoy began firing shots into the air, apparently in an attempt to clear the road.
Amid the confusion, a stray bullet hit Timothy John, a passerby from Dutse Baupma, in the chest.
He was rushed to Kubwa General Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The identity of the VIP or those responsible for the gunfire has not yet been disclosed, sparking public outrage and concern over the reckless actions of convoy security operatives.
Authorities have launched a full investigation into both the accident and the shooting, with the body of Timothy John taken for autopsy.
Operatives of the Mabushi Division of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command have foiled a robbery attempt at the Royal Court Estate, Jahi II, Abuja.
The operatives arrested two suspects following a gun battle.The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, March 27, at about 3:20 a.m. after a distress call was received.
Upon arrival, the police officers were engaged in a shootout by the robbers but eventually overpowered them with superior firepower.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, on Sunday, the suspects, Rabiu Jubril and Ibrahim Isa, both residents of Tipper Garage, Jahi—were arrested after a hot pursuit.
Adeh said, “On March 27, 2025 at about 3:20 a.m., operatives of the Mabushi Division responded swiftly to a distress call reporting ongoing robbery at Royal Court Estate, Jahi II.
“Upon arrival at the scene, the police operatives were engaged in a gun duel by the hoodlums. However, the suspects were overpowered by the superior firepower of the police and attempted to flee with gunshot injuries.
“A hot pursuit ensued, leading to the arrest of two suspects—Rabiu Jubril and Ibrahim Isa, both residents of Tipper Garage, Jahi. ”
Adeh added that items recovered from the suspects include two locally made firearms, three suspected stolen vehicles— a black Toyota Matrix (Reg. No. NBS 348 CP), a black Toyota Venza (Reg. No. ABJ 105 AV), and a grey Lexus IS350 (Reg. No. RSH 295 CB).
She stated that electronic devices such as two MacBook Pro laptops, a Lenovo laptop, an iPad, a PS4 gaming console, a Canon IP1224 camera, and a drone camera were also recovered.
“The suspects are currently in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations, ” Adeh added.
Adeh said the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ajao Adewale, urged residents to adopt proactive security measures, especially by installing tracking devices in their vehicles to aid recovery efforts in case of theft.
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