One person has been reported dead while several others were injured as a violent clash erupted between Fulani herdsmen and some local youths in Lano village, located in the Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State.
The injured are currently receiving medical attention at the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH) in Gombe.
The conflict also led to houses being set ablaze, causing damage to property that has yet to be quantified.
The State Police Command has confirmed the incident and condemned the violence, describing it as uncalled for and unnecessary.
Commissioner of Police Hayatu Usman has directed a thorough investigation to determine the underlying causes of the clash.
Reports indicate that the clash began around 5 PM and escalated into full violence by 7 PM, with participants using dangerous weapons, particularly bows and arrows, resulting in multiple injuries.
According to eyewitness accounts, the villagers called the police for assistance, but they reported being in Kurjale and stated they would arrive soon.
When the police eventually arrived at the scene, they fired a warning shot into the air to disperse the crowd, prompting the Fulani herdsmen to flee into the bush.
Reacting to the development, the Police Command stated that on Saturday, 07/12/2024 at about 1640hrs, information was received from O/C Lano Outstation that a Group of Youths from Lano Village barricaded Lano to Deba Road and attacked Fulani herders who were crossing from Kuri Village.
The Police added that the Youths cut and killed their cows on the suspicion that the Fulani collected Phones from their People while in the Farm and prevented them from conveying their farm produce to their houses.
The PPRO, ASP Buhari Abdullahi stated that, “However, on receipt of the information, the Divisional Police Officer led a Team of Policemen to the scene where five Cows were seen killed by the Youths.”
He added that “In an effort to curtail the situation, Stakeholders from Lano Village were called to caution their Youths to go back home and Elders from the Fulani herders were also advised to talk to the Fulani in the Area to desist from taking laws into their hands.”
Buhari Abdullahi added that “Unfortunately, some Youths from Lano refused to listen and pursued the Fulani herders to the bush and as a result, Three persons were shot with bows and arrows on the leg, hand and Stomach. The victims were rushed to the General Hospital, Deba for medical attention, but later referred to Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe where the one shot in the stomach died while receiving treatment.”
The Command however assured that normalcy has been restored as Policemen and vigilante members are patrolling the Area to ensure safety of the Villagers, Fulani and other road users plying the Road.
