House Orders Investigation Into Deadly Bauchi Farmer-Herder Conflict That Claimed 9 Lives

The House of Representatives has called for an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the violent farmer-herder clash in Darazo Local Government Area of Bauchi State, which left nine people dead and several others injured.

The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Rep. Mansur Manu Soro, who represents the Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency, during plenary.

Lawmakers specifically urged the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to deploy adequate investigative and intelligence resources to Lanzai and neighbouring Dosho communities, where the violence erupted.

The House said security agencies must move swiftly to identify, apprehend, and prosecute all individuals connected to the clash, stressing that justice should be pursued “regardless of status or affiliation.”

According to the lawmakers, the crisis, which occurred last Wednesday, escalated into a deadly confrontation between farmers and herders in Lanzai and nearby Dosho communities, leaving nine persons dead, several others injured, and about 50 huts destroyed. Property worth an unspecified amount was also razed during the incident.

The House expressed concern over the humanitarian consequences of the violence, noting that many families had been displaced, with women, children, and the elderly left exposed to worsening living conditions.

Members also directed the Department of State Services (DSS) to intensify intelligence gathering, threat assessment, and early warning surveillance in the affected communities and surrounding areas to prevent further reprisals.

They further called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) to urgently provide relief materials, temporary shelter, food, medical care, and psychosocial support to victims.

During the debate, Rep. Soro warned that recurring farmer-herder clashes across the country continue to undermine national security, agricultural productivity, and economic stability. He stressed that timely intervention by security and humanitarian agencies is critical to preventing escalation.

He also cited constitutional provisions placing responsibility on government to safeguard lives and property, arguing that swift action was necessary to restore public confidence in affected communities.

The lawmakers cautioned that failure to bring perpetrators to justice could trigger reprisal attacks and further violence in the region.

The House also urged the federal government, through the North-East Development Commission, to support the reconstruction of destroyed homes, community infrastructure, and livelihoods.

In addition, it called on the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to accelerate livestock reforms, including ranching programmes and structured grazing policies aimed at reducing recurring farmer-herder disputes in Darazo and beyond.

The House mandated its Committees on Police Affairs, National Security and Intelligence, Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, and the NEDC to oversee implementation and report back within six weeks.

As a mark of respect for the victims, lawmakers observed a minute of silence for those killed in the incident and extended condolences to affected families through the Bauchi State government.