Five children of Alhaji Wakili Mudugu, the chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sustained injuries in a violent clash between farmers and herders in the Gwako community of Gwagwalada Area Council.
Danjuma Saleh, a local farmer, reported that the incident occurred on Saturday after a group of cows allegedly strayed into a farm belonging to local residents, causing significant damage to their crops. Tensions escalated when the farm owners discovered the destruction, leading to a confrontation between the children of the Miyetti Allah chairman and the affected farmers.
According to Saleh, the conflict intensified when a herder allegedly brandished a machete, injuring one of the farmers. In retaliation, the farmers fought back, further inflaming the situation. The incident soon turned violent as the farmers organized a group to follow the herders back to their settlement, where additional clashes occurred.
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In the aftermath, five of Alhaji Mudugu’s children and four farmers were injured by machetes. All those injured were transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.
Efforts to reach Alhaji Wakili Mudugu for comment were unsuccessful, as his phone was switched off at the time of reporting. However, Ahmed Dahiru, the spokesperson for MACBAN in the FCT, confirmed the incident, stating that Alhaji Mudugu was in a meeting and additional details could be provided later.
The FCT Police Command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said the command was not immediately aware of the incident. She added that she would consult with the Divisional Police Officer in Gwagwalada for further information.
The clash has sparked concerns within the community, with local authorities working to prevent further escalations and maintain peace in the area.