Reps demand arrest of perpetrators as Bauchi farmers-herders clash claims lives

By Gift ChapiOdekina

The House of Representatives has called for the immediate investigation and prosecution of those responsible for a deadly farmers-herders clash in Lanzai and neighbouring Dosho communities in Darazo Local Government Area of Bauchi State, which claimed nine lives and left scores displaced.

The call followed the consideration of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency, Mansur Manu Soro, at plenary on Wednesday.

Presenting the motion, Soro drew the attention of the House to the violent confrontation which occurred last Wednesday, resulting in deaths, injuries and widespread destruction of property in the affected communities.

The lawmaker informed the House that the clash led to the loss of nine lives, while dozens of residential structures and means of livelihood were destroyed.

He said, “The House notes the sad occurrence last week Wednesday, of a violent clash between farmers and herders in Lanzai and nearby Dosho communities that resulted in the loss of nine human lives, injuries to residents, destruction of property and the burning of approximately fifty residential huts and other means of livelihood.”

He expressed concern that the violence had displaced many families and exposed women, children and the elderly to severe humanitarian conditions.

The House observed that the incident had “displaced numerous families, exposed vulnerable persons comprising women, children and the elderly to severe humanitarian conditions and heightened tension among affected communities.”

Members further lamented the recurring nature of farmers-herders conflicts across the country, warning that such clashes continue to threaten national security, food production and economic growth.

The House noted that the persistent violence “continues to undermine national security, agricultural productivity and economic development.”

In its resolutions, the House urged the Inspector-General of Police to deploy adequate investigative and intelligence resources to the affected communities with a view to identifying, apprehending and prosecuting all those involved in the violence.

The House also called on the Director-General of the Department of State Services to “Intensify intelligence gathering, threat assessment and early warning operations in the area to prevent further attacks and reprisals.”

Recognising the humanitarian impact of the crisis, the House appealed to the National Emergency Management Agency and the North-East Development Commission to immediately provide relief materials, temporary shelter, food supplies, medical assistance and psychosocial support to affected victims.

The lawmakers also urged the Federal Government, through the NED, to support the reconstruction of homes, community facilities and livelihoods destroyed during the crisis.

To address the root causes of the recurring conflict, the House called on the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to accelerate the implementation of sustainable livestock management policies, grazing control measures, ranching initiatives and dispute resolution frameworks in the area.

The House subsequently mandated its Committees on Police Affairs, National Security and Intelligence, Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, and the North-East Development Commission to monitor compliance with its resolutions and report back within six weeks.

Farmers-herders conflicts have remained one of Nigeria’s most persistent security challenges, particularly in agrarian communities where disputes over land use, grazing routes and access to water resources frequently escalate into violence. The clashes have contributed to loss of lives, displacement of communities and disruptions to agricultural activities, with experts warning that the situation poses a significant threat to food security and rural development.

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