By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
The Farmers–Herders Special Court of Jigawa State, sitting in Dutse, has convicted and sentenced nine herders to various prison terms for offences related to the destruction of farmlands and breach of public peace in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area.
The convicts were arraigned following a case filed in 2023 by the Commissioner of Police under relevant provisions of the Jigawa State Penal Code.
In his judgment, the presiding Magistrate, Yusuf Rabiu Abubakar, ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. He said the defendants were guilty of offences including conspiracy, mischief by fire, damage to farm produce and disturbance of public peace, contrary to Sections 97, 362, 332, 114 and 246 of the Penal Code.
The court found that the offences were committed in Gayawa, Gurjiya, Kursa and Tukuda forest areas of Birnin Kudu LGA.
Magistrate Abubakar stated that evidence before the court showed that the convicts jointly destroyed farm produce and agricultural implements across about 1,500 hectares of farmland, with losses estimated at over ₦700 million, affecting several farmers.
He noted that the prosecution called 12 witnesses whose testimonies were credible and convincing, while the defence failed to call any witness or present sufficient evidence to counter the allegations.
The court sentenced each of the nine convicts to one month imprisonment on each count, with an option of a ₦10,000 fine per count.
In addition, the court ordered the payment of ₦500 million as compensation to the affected farmers, to be shared equitably.
The convicts were also directed to jointly pay ₦500,000 to the complainants and another ₦500,000 to the Jigawa State Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Engr. Auwalu Garba, as compensation for damage to tractor tyres and a motorcycle during the incident.
Reacting to the judgment, Engr. Garba welcomed the ruling, describing it as a strong deterrent against future violations.
He urged both farmers and herders to remain law-abiding and resolve disputes peacefully, warning against encroachment into grazing routes and forest reserves or resorting to self-help under any circumstances.
