Borno: Herdsmen attack farmer, chop off his hands

In Borno State, herdsmen assaulted a farmer and chopped off his hands.

The event took place on Friday in Bassam Galomari village, Gubio II Ward, Gubio Local Government Area of the State.

Zagazola Makama, a Lake Chad Basin counter-terrorism and insurgency expert, announced this on Saturday via a post on his X account.

Makama stated that the conflict began when herders transporting cows entered a land owned by a local homeowner.

According to the security expert, the herders fought the farmer's attempt to expel them from his land until one of them assaulted the farmer and severed his hands.

He said: “A violent incident occurred today at 1:30 pm on Friday, Aug 2, 2024, in Bassam Galomari Village, Gubio II Ward, under Gubio Local Government Area.

“Fulani herdsmen, carrying cows, entered a farm belonging to a resident, leading to a confrontation.

“The farm owner attempted to remove the herdsmen from his property, but they resisted, and one of the Fulani men attacked the farmer, cutting both his hands.

“The victim was rushed to Gubio Hospital, where he was referred to Maiduguri Hospital for further treatment.

“Following the incident, the area has been deemed unsafe, with warnings issued for people to avoid Bassam Galomari Village.

“The security agencies have been mandated to respond to the situation with a view to resolving the crises.”

Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command has confirmed the herder's attack on the Egwuma community in Agatu Local Government Area, which left five persons dead.

State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sewuese Anene confirmed the development in Makurdi on Monday.

Anene also disclosed that the Command deployed additional personnel to the area to maintain peace.

A member, representing Agatu constituency in the State House of Assembly, Godwin Edoh, also confirmed the attack but put the number of victims at 12.

The lawmaker lamented the incessant killings of his constituents and called on governments and security agencies to take proactive measures to curtail the attacks.

“Government has to be decisive about what to do about this area because it is so porous. The Ogbumogbo, Ejima and other villages down to Ikpele have been deserted for close to one year.

“The herders come over to the deserted villages with their cattle for grazing in the morning and leave in the evening.

“They are able to do these because the villagers had left their communities for fear of attacks and the security agents are not doing enough to address this development,’’ he said.