Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
A long-simmering tension between farmers and herders in northeastern Nigeria turned deadly in Borno State after a herder was shot dead during a confrontation over grazing rights in Guwal Village, Kwaya Kusar Local Government Area. The incident, which occurred on the morning of December 15, has once again drawn attention to the fragile relationship between agricultural communities and pastoralists, as well as the persistent challenge of managing land use and security in rural areas.
According to security sources familiar with the incident, the confrontation began at about 9:00 a.m. when a farmer, Adamu Salisu, aged 65, and his son, Salisu Adamu, aged 30, were harvesting crops on their farmland in Guwal Village. While they were working, a herder identified as Saleh, aged 30, and said to be from nearby Chalu Village, allegedly moved his cattle onto the farm. The animals reportedly began grazing on legumes planted by the farmers, triggering a dispute that quickly escalated.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the farmer cautioned the herder to remove his cattle from the farmland, insisting that the crops represented months of labour and were not open for grazing. The exchange reportedly became heated, with tempers flaring as both sides accused each other of wrongdoing. In the moments that followed, the confrontation turned violent.
Security sources stated that the herder allegedly attacked Adamu Salisu and his son with a machete during the altercation, inflicting injuries on their hands. Faced with the attack, the farmer reportedly retaliated by firing a Dane gun, a locally made firearm commonly found in rural communities. The shot struck the herder in the stomach, causing critical injuries.
Police officers were alerted to the incident and arrived at the scene shortly afterward. The injured herder was evacuated by the police to the General Hospital in Kwaya Kusar for emergency treatment. However, medical personnel later certified him dead on arrival. Following standard procedure, the corpse was documented and released to the deceased’s relatives for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.
The farmer and his son were also taken for medical treatment, where they received care for machete wounds sustained during the clash. Police authorities confirmed that the suspect involved in the shooting was taken into custody for further investigation, while exhibits connected to the incident, including the Dane gun and machete, were recovered.
The fatal encounter has sent shockwaves through Guwal Village and surrounding communities, many of which have experienced similar disputes in recent years. Local residents described a tense atmosphere in the aftermath of the incident, with fears of reprisals or further clashes if the situation is not carefully managed. Community leaders have reportedly begun engaging both farming and herding groups to prevent escalation and reassure residents.
Farmer–herder conflicts have long been a source of insecurity across several parts of Nigeria, particularly in rural areas where farming and grazing activities overlap. These disputes often arise from competition over land and water resources, destruction of crops by roaming cattle, or alleged encroachment on grazing routes. In some cases, minor disagreements have spiralled into deadly confrontations, resulting in loss of life, displacement of communities, and deep-seated mistrust.
In Borno State, where years of insurgency have already strained social cohesion and livelihoods, such incidents further compound the challenges faced by rural communities. Although the state has recorded improvements in security compared with the peak years of the Boko Haram insurgency, sporadic violence linked to criminality, communal disputes, and land use conflicts continues to pose a threat to stability.
Security analysts note that the proliferation of small arms in rural communities and the absence of effective conflict-resolution mechanisms often exacerbate such disputes. The use of weapons, even rudimentary ones like machetes and locally made guns, significantly increases the likelihood that disagreements will end in serious injury or death. Analysts argue that without proactive measures to address underlying grievances, similar incidents are likely to recur.
Authorities in Kwaya Kusar Local Government Area have called for calm following the incident, urging residents not to take the law into their own hands. Security officials emphasised that disputes over land or grazing should be resolved through dialogue and established legal channels rather than violence. They also encouraged community members to promptly report emerging conflicts to security agencies or traditional leaders before they escalate.
The police reiterated their commitment to conducting a thorough investigation into the Guwal Village incident to ensure that justice is served in line with the law. Officials stressed that while self-defence claims will be examined, the unlawful use of force remains a serious offence and will be treated accordingly. They added that maintaining peace requires collective responsibility from all stakeholders, including farmers, herders, traditional institutions, and government authorities.
Civil society groups working on peacebuilding in northeastern Nigeria have also weighed in, describing the incident as a reminder of the urgent need for sustained dialogue between farming and pastoral communities. They have called for renewed investment in conflict-prevention initiatives, such as community mediation committees, clearly demarcated grazing routes, and public awareness campaigns on peaceful coexistence.
In recent years, various state and federal initiatives have sought to reduce farmer–herder violence through policies aimed at regulating grazing practices and promoting ranching. However, implementation has often been uneven, particularly in rural and conflict-affected regions. Critics argue that without adequate support, enforcement, and community buy-in, such policies have limited impact on the ground.
For residents of Guwal Village, the death of the herder and the injuries sustained by the farmer and his son underscore the human cost of unresolved disputes. Many villagers expressed sadness over the loss of life and concern about the broader implications for inter-community relations. Some called on authorities to increase security patrols and mediation efforts to prevent retaliation and reassure both farmers and herders.
As investigations continue, the incident stands as another stark example of how everyday livelihood activities can turn tragic in the absence of effective conflict-management structures. With farming and herding remaining central to rural economies in Borno State and beyond, observers say sustainable peace will depend on addressing the root causes of these clashes, strengthening local dispute-resolution mechanisms, and fostering trust among communities that must share limited resources.
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