8 hours ago
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Two police officers have been injured following an attack by suspected herders in Gulani Local Government Area of Yobe State.
According to a statement by the state police spokesperson, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, the incident happened on October 29, around Kojoli village when officers from the Police mobile force (PMF) responded to a distress call about herders invading rice farms with their cattle.
“Community members reported that a group of herders had allegedly invaded rice farms with large herds of cattle, deliberately destroying crops,” the statement said.
The police team, led by the Unit Commander of 19 PMF, rushed to the scene but “were ambushed by the herders who opened fire using AK-47 rifles, bows and arrows, before fleeing into the bush.”
Two officers — Sergeant Abdullahi Aminu and Corporal Aliyu Suleiman sustained machete injuries on their heads, arms, and legs.
“They were immediately evacuated to General Hospital, Bara, where they are currently receiving medical treatment,” the police said.
During the attack, one of the officers’ rifles was seized by the suspects, while another was recovered. The police also recovered several cattle belonging to the fleeing herders, which were later escorted back to Kojoli village with the help of local vigilantes.
One suspect, identified as Mohammed Bello, was arrested “in possession of a blood-stained cutlass” and is assisting the ongoing investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Ado, condemned the attack, stressing that the command remains committed to maintaining peace and justice.
“The Command will not tolerate violence, attacks on police personnel, destruction of farms, or criminal grazing,” CP Ado stated. “We are committed to peaceful coexistence and justice for all parties involved.”
He directed tactical teams to be deployed in the area, “to prevent escalation and maintain peace,” while urging both farmers and herders to report disputes early and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
Police officers injured in Yobe farmers, herders clash, one suspect arrested
