Herders Crisis: Bauchi Inaugurates Judicial Commission of Inquiry to probe Darazo violence, reprisal attacks
By Sule Aliyu Bauchi
Following a violent clash between farmers and herders that claimed 11 lives, the Bauchi State Government has officially inaugurated a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate the immediate and underlying causes of the recurring crisis in Darazo Local Government Area.
The violent conflict, which erupted over farmland disputes between the communities of Lanzai and Dosho, left multiple people injured and resulted in the destruction of at least 100 houses.
Our correspondent recalled that Governor Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad had visited Lanzai on Friday, 5th June 2021, to commiserate with affected communities, providing food items, mats, and blankets, while arranging building materials such as cement and roofing sheets to support rebuilding efforts.
The State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad, represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Muhammad Awwal Jatau, inaugurated the panel at the Deputy Governor’s Executive Chambers government house, Bauchi.
Governor Mohammed expressed deep concern over the recurring nature of resource-driven conflicts in the region despite government interventions, warning that the state will no longer tolerate criminality disguised as agrarian disputes.
According to details provided during the inauguration, the crisis began when farmers from Lanzai were blocked from cultivating a piece of land by residents of Dosho village.
The Initial Attack occurred when Youths mobilized from Lanzai retaliated against Dosho village, killing two people and destroying over 55 houses.Reprisal Attack:
A subsequent counter-attack mobilized from Dosho led to the deaths of nine more individuals and the burning of over 10 additional homes.
The Governor referenced similar bloody clashes in the past year across Yautare, Farin Ruwa, and Aliyah Forests, which tragically claimed the lives of five police officers who were attempting to restore peace.
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry is chaired by retired Grand Khadi Abdullahi Yakubu Marafa.
Other stakeholders in the Commission include the State Attorney-General, Commissioners for Land, Local Government, Agriculture, and Livestock Development, as well as the Chief Security Adviser.Representatives from the State Security Service, the Nigeria Police Force, the Civil Defence Corps, the Emir of Darazo, and local leadership from both the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and the Kautal Pulaaku Fulbe Association are also serving on the panel.
The Commission has been given one month to submit its final report based on the following Terms of Reference:Unravel the immediate and underlying remote causes of the Lanzai-Dosho conflict.Complete a comprehensive casualty and damage assessment, verifying exact fatalities, injuries, and razed properties.Identify all individuals, groups, community leaders, or sponsors responsible for instigating the violence and subsequent reprisal attacks as well as recommend definitive measures for permanent peace, proper territorial demarcation, and legal prosecution pathways for perpetrators.
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