Five Killed, Several Injured in Bauchi Communal Clash as Troops Avert Reprisal Attack

By: Zagazola Makama 

Troops of Operation Safe Haven and personnel of the Nigeria Police Force have restored calm following a violent communal clash between Fulani herders and youths in Darazo Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

Security sources said the troops of Sector 2 responded to reports of a clash at about 9:30 a.m. on June 4 involving Fulani herders from Doshe Village and youths from Lanzai Village.

According to the sources, preliminary assessments revealed that one resident was killed during the violence, while six Fulani herders sustained varying degrees of injuries.

The injured victims were evacuated to a hospital in Potiskum, Yobe State, for medical treatment.

The sources further disclosed that no fewer than 40 houses were destroyed during the clash, which caused significant damage to property in the affected communities.

At about 3:20 p.m., while troops were maintaining security presence in Doshe Village to restore law and order, groups of Fulani herders from neighbouring communities reportedly mobilised for a reprisal attack on Lanzai Village.

However, the troops swiftly intervened and established a buffer zone between the two communities, preventing further violence and escalation of the crisis.

“The timely intervention of security personnel helped to forestall a reprisal attack and stabilise the situation in the area,” the sources said.

They added that troops subsequently recovered five bodies from the affected communities as efforts continued to ascertain the full casualty figure and circumstances surrounding the incident.

Security personnel were said to be maintaining a strong presence in the area to prevent further breakdown of law and order and reassure residents of their safety.

Investigations into the remote and immediate causes of the clash are ongoing.