The Commissioner of Police, Borno State Command, Abdu Umar, has disclosed that eight people were killed and 47 houses burnt in a clash between farmers and herders over alleged encroachment of lands in Bayo LGA of Borno State.
The CP revealed this on Saturday at a town hall meeting with leaders of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) and farmers association at the Police Headquarters in Maiduguri.
He disclosed that eight person’s, including three children, were killed in the violence, adding that the incident was a source of concern to security agencies.
He observed that at the end of the meeting, modalities would be mapped out to ensure proper monitoring of migratory herders into the area.
Umar revealed that some suspects had been arrested in connection with the crime, and would be taken to court for prosecution after thorough investigation.
The meeting was attended by heads of security agencies, government officials and leaders of the two groups.
The Chairman of MACBAN, Ahmadu Musa-Karube, attributed most of the root causes of the crises to encroachment of cattle roots.
“Animals can’t fly, they must have a route to pass, but most times you will see cattle routes cultivated by the farmers. On a serious note, this needs to be address urgently,” he said.
Also, the representative of the farmers, Hassan Musa, also advised that cattle routes should be well gazetted, while calling for a total ban of night grazing in the state.
