Olayomi Koiki
At least one person was killed in a clash between herdsmen and youths in a village in northeast Nigeria, police said.
Two others were hospitalised in the incident that occurred in Lano village, in the Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State on Saturday, the Gombe State Police Command said in a statement by spokesman ASP Buhari Abdullahi.
According to the police statement, the conflict began when youths from Lano village barricaded the Lano-Deba Road and allegedly attacked herdsmen crossing from Kuri village, killing five of their cows after accusing the herdsmen of seizing phones from local farmers and obstructing the transportation of farm produce.
The statement said: “We received information that a group of youths from Lano village barricaded the Lano-Deba road and attacked Fulani herdsmen, killing five of their cows.
“Upon receiving the report, the Divisional Police Officer of the area led a team to the scene to contain the situation.
“However, despite efforts to restore calm, some of the youths pursued the herdsmen into the bush, leading to a violent altercation.
“Three persons were shot with bows and arrows during the clash. The victims were rushed to the General Hospital in Deba for treatment but were later referred to the Federal Teaching Hospital in Gombe.”
One of the victims succumbed to stomach injuries while receiving treatment, while the other two remain hospitalised.
The police spokesman assured residents that normalcy had been restored to the area, with security personnel and vigilantes patrolling to ensure the safety of villagers, herdsmen, and road users.
“The situation is under control, and we urge all parties to maintain peace and refrain from further violence,” Abdullahi said.
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