The Commissioner of Police, Borno State Command, Abdu Umar, has said that the eight people were killed and 47 houses burnt in a clash between farmers and herders over alleged encroachment of lands in Bayo LGA of Borno State.
The CP disclosed this yesterday at a town hall meeting with leaders of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) farmer association at the Police Headquarters in Maiduguri.
He said report indicated that violence erupted the eight person’s killed include three young children.
He said the incident is a source of concern to security agencies especially now that they are putting in their best to restore normalcy in the affected area.
He noted that, at the end of the meeting, modalities would map out to ensure proper monitoring of migratory herders into area that witness such violance in the state.
Umar said that some suspects have been arrested in connection to the crime, and would be taken to court for prosecution after through investigation.
The meeting was attended by heads of security agencies, government officials and leaders of the two groups.
The Chairman of MACBAN, Ahmadu Musa-Karube, attributed most of the root causes of the crises to encroachment of cattle roots.
“Animals can’t fly, the most have a route to pass, but most times you will see cattle routes cultivated by the farmers. On a serious note, this needs to be address urgently” he said.
Also, the representative of the farmers, Hassan Musa, also advised that cattle routes should be well gazetted, while calling for a total ban of night grazing in the state.
