By Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto
No fewer than 10 persons were reportedly injured following a violent clash between residents of Chirif Magaji and Chirif Dikko communities in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State over a disputed farmland.
The two communities have allegedly been embroiled in a dispute over the ownership and use of the farmland for nearly three years. The conflict, however, escalated on Tuesday, resulting in multiple injuries.
A security source told journalists that the disagreement centres on which of the two communities has the legitimate right to cultivate the land.
According to the source, the Rabah Local Government Council had previously intervened and brokered a peace agreement under which the farmland was shared between the communities.
“Earlier today, we received a distress call reporting a violent confrontation between the communities. Security personnel were immediately deployed to restore order,” the source said.
The source explained that the violence began when residents of one of the communities went to clear the disputed farmland and allegedly encountered an ambush by members of the rival community armed with Dane guns and machetes.
“The attackers opened fire, injuring six people. Upon learning of the incident, members of the affected community mobilised and launched a reprisal attack, during which four people from the opposing community were injured,” the source added.
All injured victims were evacuated to medical facilities for treatment.
The security source dismissed reports circulating on social media that the incident was a bandit attack, stressing that the violence was solely the result of the longstanding land dispute between the two communities.
No deaths had been recorded as of the time of filing this report.
“Some of the victims sustained gunshot wounds, while others suffered machete cuts. Some are receiving treatment at the General Hospital, Rabah, while those with more severe injuries have been referred to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital for further medical attention,” the source said.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Rabah Local Government Area, Hon. Yusuf Muhammad Rabah, said the situation had been brought under control.
“It is true that the incident occurred, but we have been able to calm the situation,” he said, declining to provide further details on the number of casualties.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, said he had yet to receive a formal briefing on the incident but promised to obtain details from the Divisional Police Officer and provide an update.
