At least seven people have been killed and dozens of homes destroyed following violent clashes between farmers and herders in Lanzai and Dosho communities of Darazo Local Government Area in Bauchi State.
According to a statement by the spokesperson of the Bauchi State Police Command, SP Nafiu Habib, the violence began on June 4 at about 9:20 a.m. when suspected Fulani herders allegedly attacked farmers who were applying local fertilizer on farmland at the outskirts of Lanzai community.
The statement noted that in a reprisal attack, youths from Lanzai mobilised and stormed Dosho Village, a Fulani settlement, where they set structures ablaze. About 50 huts were reportedly destroyed along with household belongings during the attack.
Seven persons were confirmed dead, while six others sustained injuries of varying severity and are currently receiving treatment at medical facilities.
Police authorities said significant damage was recorded on residential buildings and personal property before security operatives were deployed to restore order and prevent further escalation.
The command added that tactical units and the Violent Crime Response Unit were deployed to the affected areas, with intensified patrols now ongoing in Lanzai, Dosho, and surrounding communities. Normalcy has since been restored.
Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, ordered a full investigation into both the immediate and remote causes of the clash, assuring that those responsible for the initial attack and the reprisal would be identified and prosecuted.
He also urged community leaders and residents to remain calm and avoid further violence, stressing the need to allow security agencies to carry out thorough investigations into the incident.