A 15-year-old Herder, identified as Adamu Ibrahim, has been arrested by the Bauchi State Police Command for cutting off a farmer’s hand in Jital village, Bauchi local government area (LGA) of the State.
The Spokesman of the State Command, SP Ahmed Wakil, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists on Saturday, in Bauchi.
Wakil said Adamu stabbed the farmer during an argument, and investigations carried out revealed that it’s not his first time trespassing into the victim’s farmland.
He mentioned the unfortunate incident followed a series of complaints to the suspect’s father by the victim for intrusion into his rice farmland.
He also revealed that police operatives swung into action immediately after receiving the report, arrested the suspect and activated more preventive measures to avert a possible herder-farmer clash in the area.
“A disagreement ensued in the course of which the suspect stabbed the victim upon asking him to vacate his farmland.
“In addition, the suspect drew his machete and chopped off the left hand of the victim.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had on several occasions trespassed into the victim’s farmland with his cows while rearing.
“The investigation revealed that on the 24th of August, 2023, the suspect who was armed with a stick and machete, again went to the victim’s farmland and destroyed crops, whose value is yet to be ascertained.
“The victim was rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, for medical attention, and he is responding to treatment.” Wakil said.
Wakil also revealed the state Commissioner of Police, CP Auwal Mohammed, has warned herders to keep away from farmlands in the state, adding the suspect will be charged to court upon completion of a discreet investigation.
