No fewer than three persons have been killed in a renewed clash in Kushi, Shongom Local Government Area of Gombe State, The PUNCH has gathered.
Our correspondent gathered that the recent conflict started following the killing of a herder whose cows invaded a farmland, and then retaliation by his kinsmen, leading to the death of two persons.
Confirming the attack on Monday in a telephone interview with The PUNCH, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mahid Abubakar, said the situation had been brought under control.
Our correspondent reports that a similar occurrence, which happened in May 2021, led to the burning of over 50 houses with about 10 lives lost.
Abubakar disclosed that the suspects had been arrested, while warning residents not to resort to self-help but to involve constituted authorities in settling disputes.
He said, “A herder went to graze on the farmland in Kushi, and he was killed.
“The suspects were arrested and the following morning, there was a reprisal by some Fulani herdsmen and two persons were killed.
“11 houses were set ablaze, but normalcy has been restored. There is no more tension. People should refrain from taking laws into their own hands.”
Also speaking, the lawmaker representing Pero-Shonge constituency in Gombe State House of Assembly, Samuel Wina, called on the people to live in peace.
“As of now, it is difficult to estimate the number of people killed, displaced, property and farmlands destroyed at the peak of the rainy season, which is worth millions of naira,” Wina said.
While praying for an end to the clash, the lawmaker promised to speak with relevant authorities in forestalling future occurrence.
“I also pray that the government looks into a long-term solution between herders and farmers. I am making an attempt towards reaching the governor to deploy forces to contain and curtail the attacks that have outgrown the local vigilante, and is currently spreading to other communities such as Nyualimi, Duduai and Galdimaru,” Wina said.
