The Kebbi Police Command has arrested four suspects in connection with the deadly farmer-herder clash that left eight people dead in Gulma town, Argungu Local Government Area of the state, amid ongoing efforts to bring all perpetrators to justice.
The suspects, identified as Adamu Madugu of Gulma, Musa Makera of Sauwa, Saidu Adamu of Sauwa, and Shafi’u Hamza of Gulma, were apprehended following an extensive police investigation into the violent confrontation that plunged the community into mourning.
Police authorities disclosed on Thursday that the suspects would be prosecuted on charges of criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, and culpable homicide over their alleged roles in the bloody clash.
The arrests mark a significant breakthrough in the investigation into one of the deadliest communal conflicts recorded in the area in recent times.
Confirming the development, the Commissioner of Police in Kebbi State, Umar Hadejia, assured residents that the Command would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all those responsible for the violence are identified, arrested, and prosecuted.
“We will pursue this matter to its logical conclusion and ensure that every person found culpable faces the full weight of the law,” Hadejia declared.
The police commissioner said security agencies have launched a manhunt for other suspects believed to have participated in the violence and who remain at large.
According to him, intelligence gathering and investigative operations have been intensified across affected communities to prevent further breakdown of law and order and to apprehend additional perpetrators.
The clash, which erupted in Gulma town, reportedly resulted in the loss of eight lives and heightened tensions among residents, raising fresh concerns over recurring farmer-herder conflicts in parts of the state.
While the circumstances that triggered the confrontation are still under investigation, police authorities said the incident underscored the need for peaceful coexistence and adherence to the rule of law.
Hadejia appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies, warning against reprisals and acts capable of escalating the situation.
“Residents should remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands while investigations continue,” he cautioned.
The Police Command reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and property across Kebbi State, stressing that justice would be served for the victims and their families.
Authorities also assured the public that adequate security measures have been put in place in the affected communities to forestall any further violence.
As investigations continue, the Command pledged to provide updates on the case, maintaining that every individual linked to the killings would be held accountable in accordance with the law.
The latest arrests come amid renewed calls for stronger conflict-resolution mechanisms and proactive security measures to curb the recurring farmer-herder disputes that have continued to threaten peace and stability in several parts of the country.