Three farmers were seriously injured on Monday evening in Pyekman village, Tafawa-Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, following an attack allegedly carried out by suspected armed herders.
The victims — Esther Amos (58), Naomi Sabo (37), and Emmanuel Manasseh (16) were working on their farm when the attackers stormed the area, leaving them with varying degrees of injuries.
The incident, which occurred around sunset, has sparked tension in the local community, with residents calling for urgent government intervention to prevent further violence and protect lives and property.
According to a community source who spoke anonymously due to fear of retaliation, the assailants were armed and appeared to have targeted the farmers deliberately.
“They came suddenly while the farmers were working and attacked them without warning. There was panic in the village, and everyone ran for safety,” the source said.
After the attack, the injured farmers were rushed to the General Hospital in Tafawa-Balewa, where they are currently receiving treatment.
A local community leader, Mr. James Makama, who visited the victims in the hospital, confirmed the nature of their injuries and called for increased security presence in the area.
“It is unfortunate and very painful to see innocent farmers attacked while trying to earn a living. This is not the first time we are experiencing such incidents. The government needs to do more,” Makama said.
He noted that farming is the main source of livelihood in the area and that fear of such attacks discourages people from going to their farms, which could worsen food insecurity.
Reacting to the incident, the Bauchi State Police Command said it has commenced investigation and taken steps to restore calm in the affected community.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Sani Omolori Aliyu, has ordered the deployment of several tactical units to the area. These include Operation Restore Peace (ORP), the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU), the Rapid Response Squad (RSS), and personnel from nearby police divisions.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Ahmed Wakil, the command said the swift deployment was necessary to prevent any escalation and reassure residents of their safety.
“The Commissioner of Police has directed the immediate reinforcement of security in Tafawa-Balewa and surrounding areas following the attack on innocent farmers,” the statement read.
Wakil added that patrols have been intensified in the region and community members are encouraged to report any suspicious activity.
The clash in Pyekman village is the latest in a series of violent encounters between farmers and suspected herders in parts of northern Nigeria, particularly in the North-East and North-Central regions.
Over the past few years, tensions between herders and farming communities have escalated due to competition over land and grazing routes, often resulting in attacks, destruction of farmlands, and loss of lives.
Bauchi, though relatively peaceful compared to some neighboring states, has witnessed occasional flare-ups, especially in rural border communities where farming and cattle grazing intersect.
Community leaders have long called for clear grazing policies, improved security presence, and dialogue between farmers and herders to prevent such conflicts.
Civil society groups and concerned residents have appealed to the state government to take urgent steps to address the root causes of the recurring clashes.
A women’s leader in the area, Mrs. Ruth Yakubu, said, “This is not just about the three people injured. It is about the fear that now grips everyone who depends on farming. The government must act fast and decisively.”
She called for compensation for the victims and the establishment of peace-building mechanisms between farmers and herders.
Meanwhile, the victims continue to receive medical attention at the General Hospital, while police say investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend the attackers.
Farmer-herder clashes are a long-standing issue in Nigeria, often driven by environmental pressures, population growth, and the movement of herders in search of pasture. The federal government has in the past proposed the establishment of ranches and grazing reserves, but implementation has been slow due to political, cultural, and land ownership challenges.
In the meantime, rural communities like Pyekman in Tafawa-Balewa remain vulnerable to sudden violence, even as security agencies struggle with limited resources and wide areas to cover.
