By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
A violent clash between residents of Gululu village and a Fulani settlement in Yankunama, Miga Local Government Area of Jigawa State, has left 10 people dead, police have confirmed.
The conflict erupted following a reported theft of hibiscus, recently harvested and stored in a shop owned by a farmer in Gululu village, during the early hours of Thursday night.
Speaking to National Update, the village head of Gululu, Malam Muhammad Sarkin-Dori, explained that the crisis began after villagers traced footprints from the broken shop to a nearby Fulani settlement. He recounted that the herders allegedly confronted the villagers with bows and arrows, resulting in injuries and fatalities.
Sarkin-Dori said, “One Dauda Kafinta, who went missing during the clash, was later found dead with arrow injuries, while four others were hospitalized at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital after being treated at Jahun General Hospital.”
Confirming the incident, the Jigawa State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Lawal Shiisu Adam, disclosed in a statement that the violence broke out after villagers mobilized to trace the thieves and were attacked by Fulani herders.
He noted, “Upon receiving the report, police teams from Miga and Jahun divisions arrived at the scene to restore order. Unfortunately, nine bodies were recovered initially, and one more was confirmed dead later, bringing the total death toll to 10.”
The police further reported that in retaliation, villagers attacked the Fulani settlement, setting houses ablaze across locations in Miga and Jahun LGAs.
In response, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Abdullahi, along with senior officers, visited the scene and held a stakeholder meeting with local leaders, vigilantes, and Miyetti Allah representatives to prevent further violence.
Authorities have assured the public that investigations are ongoing to identify and prosecute those responsible for the violence.