Tension has risen in Yelwan Ariri, a community in Zaki Local Government Area of Bauchi State, after suspected Fulani herders launched an early-morning attack that left one resident injured and another man’s home completely burnt. The incident, which occurred around 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, has again drawn attention to the recurring clashes between farming communities and herders in parts of northern Nigeria.
According to residents, the attackers were believed to have come from Guri Local Government Area of neighbouring Jigawa State. They reportedly stormed the peaceful community armed with arrows and other weapons.
One of the victims, identified as Garba Yahaya, was shot with an arrow during the attack. Community members said Yahaya was on his way out of his home when the suspected herders ambushed him. He was immediately rushed to the General Hospital in Katagum, where he is receiving medical care.
The attackers also targeted the home of another resident, Abba Ibrahim, and set the building on fire. Neighbours who spoke anonymously said they woke up to heavy smoke rising from the burning house, forcing them to call the attention of local authorities.
By the time help arrived, the house had already been destroyed. No other injuries were reported apart from the arrow attack on Yahaya.
Sources said the Deputy Chairman of Zaki Local Government Area, Hon. Ibrahim Chiroma, acted quickly by notifying the Zaki Divisional Police Station about the incident. His prompt action led to the deployment of police officers to the scene.
The arrival of the police reportedly forced the attackers to flee the community. However, they escaped before security personnel could apprehend them.
According to residents, it is not the first time communities in Zaki LGA have experienced tension with herders passing through the area. Many community members say they now live in fear due to increasing clashes and property destruction linked to disputes over land, water, and grazing routes.
Police authorities in Bauchi State have confirmed the attack, saying investigations have begun to uncover those responsible. Officers have also been deployed to maintain peace in Yelwan Ariri to prevent retaliation or further violence.
A police source said efforts are being made to trace the suspects back to Guri LGA in Jigawa State, where they are believed to have come from. The source added that the command is working closely with local vigilante groups and community leaders to gather useful information.
The police have urged residents to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands, assuring them that the culprits will be arrested.
The attack in Yelwan Ariri is part of a wider pattern of violence recorded in Nigeria’s northern and central regions over the past decade. Conflicts between farming communities and pastoralists—mainly Fulani herders—have intensified due to competition over land, shrinking grazing areas, population growth, and the effects of climate change.
As grazing routes dry up, herders are forced to move southward in search of pasture, often leading to disputes with settled communities. In many cases, conflicts have escalated into attacks, reprisals, and loss of lives and property.
Bauchi State has experienced several such incidents in recent years, although not at the scale recorded in states like Benue, Plateau, or Kaduna. However, rural communities in Zaki, Gamawa, and Ganjuwa LGAs have reported growing concerns about the movement of armed herders in forests and farmlands.
Residents of Yelwan Ariri have called on the Bauchi State Government and security agencies to strengthen patrols around the community. Many fear that the attackers could return, especially since no arrests have been made.
Community elders said the presence of more police personnel and vigilante groups would help deter criminal activity. They also urged authorities in both Bauchi and Jigawa States to work together to monitor the movement of herders between the border areas.
Some community members expressed worry that the violence, if not handled quickly, could escalate and disrupt farming activities. Farmers are just beginning preparations for the next planting season, and many say they are afraid to visit their farmlands.
For now, the injured victim continues to receive treatment, while residents count their losses and remain on alert. Police investigations are ongoing, and authorities say more information will be released as soon as progress is made.
The attack has once again highlighted the need for long-term solutions to farmer–herder conflicts, including improved security, dialogue between communities, and clear land-use policies.
