Bauchi State Police Command has confirmed the death of a 47-year-old farmer, Yakubu Mai-Duna, following a violent altercation over a farmland dispute in Kumba village, Burra Emirate, Ningi Local Government Area of the state.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Monday.
According to the statement, the incident occurred at about 2:40 pm on Saturday, July 26, and is being investigated as a case of criminal conspiracy, causing grievous hurt and culpable homicide.
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Habib said preliminary investigations revealed that the dispute began when Mai-Duna allegedly dumped weeds from his farm into the farmland of Kabiru Yusuf, 40, also of Kumba village.
He explained that the disagreement escalated into a physical confrontation involving both men and their children.
According to the police, Kabiru Yusuf and his three sons—Abdulrazak Yusuf, 25; Salisu Kabiru, 15; and Safiyanu Kabiru, 20—allegedly attacked Mai-Duna and inflicted severe injuries on him.
The police added that another resident, Usman Gagare, 48, who reportedly intervened to rescue Mai-Duna, was also assaulted during the incident.
“On receipt of the report, operatives of Burra Division responded swiftly. The suspects were arrested, while the victims were evacuated to the Primary Healthcare Centre, Yada-Gungume, for treatment. Regrettably, Yakubu Mai-Duna later died on admission, whereas Usman Gagare was treated and discharged,” the statement read.
The command said the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and prosecution.
Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, urged residents to embrace peaceful dialogue and lawful means of resolving disputes instead of resorting to violence.
He also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across Bauchi.