Niger Residents Lament Farmer’s Death In Herders’ Attack

Residents of Baji community in Gurara local government area of Niger State are mourning the death of a young farmer, Yahaya Ibrahim, during an attack by suspected herders.

The Madakin Baji, Malam Usman Yusuf, who decried the incessant attacks on the community, said the latest incident left three farmers – Yahaya Ibrahim, Rabiu Jibrin and Bashar Mohammed – injured.
He said the victims were rushed to a hospital in Lambata after sustaining serious injuries, but Yahaya Ibrahim died late on Tuesday.

Commenting on the incident, Yusuf said, “He was one of the people attacked and injured, along with two other community farmers, Rabiu Jibrin and Bashar Mohammed, by the Fulani herders during that particular attack because we complained that they were occupying our farmlands illegally in Baji community.”

He recalled that the community had been complaining about the alleged occupation of their farmlands since July this year, adding that the farmers had been attacked several times since then.

“We have complained since July this year. Since then, they have attacked the farmers several times, resulting in the fatal injury of three farmers. Unfortunately, Yahaya Ibrahim lost his life,” he said.

Another villager, Mohammed Umaru, confirmed to LEADERSHIP that Ibrahim died late on Tuesday, describing his death as a serious blow to the community, which he said had been under constant attacks without adequate attention from the authorities.

He alleged that the Fulani herders had taken over farmland belonging to 92 households and destroyed their crops, adding that the deceased and other villagers were attacked when they attempted to stop them.

LEADERSHIP gathered that following the death of Yahaya Ibrahim on Tuesday, the Fulani herders occupying the farmland reportedly left the community at midnight for an unknown destination.

The development followed threats from some villagers to launch a reprisal attack if those responsible were not brought to justice.

It will be recalled that the Baji Community, through its lawyer, Barrister H. A. Yabagi, Esq., wrote to the Governor of Niger State on July 27, 2026, seeking urgent government intervention over what it described as the persistent destruction of farmlands, threats to life, breach of peace and unlawful occupation of farmlands by some Fulani herdsmen allegedly led by one Shuaibu Isah Bodari and others.

The letter, titled “An Appeal for Urgent Intervention of the Executive Governor of Niger State over Persistent Destruction of Farmlands, Threat to Life, Breach of Peace, and Unlawful Occupation of Farmlands by Some Fulani Herdsmen (Led by One Shuaibu Isah Bodari and Others) at Baji Community, Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State,” called for government action.

However, it was learnt that no significant action had been taken to address the situation.

Attempts to obtain the reactions of the Commissioner for Homeland Security, Barrister Maurice Justin Magaji, and the Secretary to the Niger State Government on whether the government had taken any action to address the situation in Baji proved abortive, as both officials were said to be attending a crucial meeting as of press time.