Residents of Baji Community in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State have raised the alarm over alleged persistent attacks by Fulani herders on indigenous farmers in the area.

The community alleged that despite several reports and interventions by government and security agencies, the attacks and destruction of farmlands have continued.

The Madakin Baji, Malam Usman Yusuf, made the allegations while speaking with journalists in Minna.

He said more than 60 people had sustained injuries in separate incidents over the past five years following alleged attacks on members of the community.

Malam Usman said the latest incident occurred on Saturday, September 19th, 2026, when three farmers—Yahaya Ibrahim, Rabiu Jibrin and Bashar Mohammed—were allegedly attacked and sustained serious injuries.

He explained that the incident began when one Nasiru Sani went to the farm in search of his mother, who had gone there to collect firewood.

According to him, Nasiru was allegedly attacked after he was sighted on the farmland, prompting an alarm that attracted other members of the community and resulted in further violence.

The Madakin Baji alleged that since July this year, farmers in the area had been threatened and prevented from accessing their farms, while night grazing had allegedly led to the destruction of crops belonging to about 92 farming households.

He said the development prompted a peace meeting chaired by the Chairman of Gurara Local Government Council, involving the police, DSS, NSCDC, vigilante groups, representatives of the state government, Miyetti Allah, Fulani settlers and members of Baji community.

He said the team subsequently inspected the affected farmlands to assess the level of damage and address the reported dispute.

Malam Usman said the inspection established allegations of night grazing, destruction of farm produce and occupation of some farmlands by Fulani settlers.

He also alleged that the community had allocated an alternative location to the herders, but that some of them had resisted relocating.

He said the peace meeting resolved that the Fulani settlers should vacate the affected farmlands within 24 hours and relocate to the area allocated by the community.

The meeting also resolved that there should be no further attacks, while farmers were encouraged to return to their farming activities.

According to him, the meeting further recommended that the herders consider compensating farmers for the destruction of their crops.

He, however, said the farmers, in the interest of peace, decided to forgive the herders and declined to pursue compensation.

The Madakin Baji alleged that despite the resolutions, attacks had continued, while some of the herders had allegedly refused to relocate.

He appealed to the state and federal governments, security agencies and other stakeholders to urgently intervene to prevent further escalation.

Malam Usman stressed that the people of Baji were peace-loving and law-abiding, but warned that continued attacks on their lives and means of livelihood could create further tension.

Meanwhile, the community said it had earlier sought government intervention through its lawyer, Barrister H. A. Yabagi of Yabagi and Company, Sulhu Chambers.

In a letter dated July 27th, 2026, and addressed to the Niger State Governor, the lawyer appealed for urgent intervention over alleged destruction of farmlands, threats to lives, breach of peace and unlawful occupation of farmlands by some Fulani herders in Baji Community.

The letter, according to the community, was copied to the Deputy Governor, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Secretary to the State Government, Commissioner of Police, Director of the DSS, NSCDC, Commissioners responsible for Homeland Security and Local Government, as well as the Emir of Suleja and Chairman of Gurara Local Government Council.

The community expressed concern that despite the various reports, meetings and appeals, no lasting solution had been found to the dispute.

It therefore called for urgent government and security intervention to protect lives and property and restore peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders in Baji and neighbouring communities.