A clash between farmers and herders in Danbatta town of Kano, North West Nigeria, on Thursday has resulted in at least four individuals sustaining injuries from stabs and arrow shots. 

According to locals, the conflict erupted when farmers accused herders who were grazing their animals of causing damage to their crops.

“They [the herders] came with their animals and started eating from the farm produce gathered there,” said a farmer, Mallam Shuaibu. 

According to him, it was when the farmers tried to stop the animals that the dispute over the destruction of farm produce led to a confrontation.

“When we heard what had happened, we gathered in a crowd and confronted them in an attempt to force them out. But when we reached their position, they started shooting with arrows that critically injured four people,” said Magaji Sani, another farmer.

After they were given first aid, the injured people – all farmers — were swiftly transported to Murtala Muhammad General Hospital in Kano for medical attention.

Mallam Shuaibu said the local authorities have tried to approach the herders for reconciliation, but when they reached the conflict area, they were also met with bows and arrows.

While on a relatively small scale, farmer-herder clashes in Kano often stem from competition over dwindling resources such as grazing land and water sources. 

In 2022, a similar clash erupted in the Minjibir Local Government Area, resulting in the death of two people and injuring 10 others. 

Climate change-induced environmental challenges, such as desertification and unpredictable rainfall patterns, have also further intensified these conflicts as herders are forced to seek new pastures for their livestock, causing them to encroach on agricultural lands.