Community clash kills one, injures six in Bauchi

One person has been killed and six others injured in a reprisal attack involving youths from Buskuwa and Mabani communities in Gamawa Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The Bauchi State Police Command said one suspect had been arrested while investigations were ongoing to identify others linked to the violence.

The clash reportedly started after three youths from Mabani were attacked while travelling to Buskuwa on Monday.

According to the police spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, the victims, identified as Babangida Musa, 20; Usman Abdu, 20; and Ya’u Muhammad, 18, were allegedly assaulted by unidentified youths suspected to be from Buskuwa.

Habib said the three men were beaten with sticks and sustained injuries.

He said the incident later triggered a reprisal attack when one Jumba Adamu allegedly mobilised youths from Mabani to Buskuwa that night.

The group reportedly attacked residents with sticks, leaving several people injured.

“Unfortunately, one of the victims, Muhammadu Dare, died on the spot, while others sustained various degrees of injuries,” Habib said in a statement issued on Thursday.

Following a report received from a 55-year-old resident of Buskuwa, police operatives from the Gamawa Divisional Police Headquarters, supported by hunters and vigilantes, moved to the community.

The injured victims and Dare’s remains were taken to the General Hospital, Gamawa, where a doctor confirmed his death and conducted the necessary postmortem procedures.

Police said three of the injured victims were admitted for treatment, while three others were treated and discharged.

The command said one suspect had been taken into custody and that efforts were underway to apprehend other individuals believed to have participated in the attacks.

“Preliminary investigation has commenced and, upon conclusion, the case file will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation and prosecution,” Habib said.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the violence and ordered area commanders and divisional police officers to strengthen intelligence-led patrols and conflict-resolution efforts in the affected communities.

Aliyu urged residents and community leaders in Buskuwa and Mabani to avoid retaliatory attacks and allow security agencies to handle disputes.

He warned that anyone found responsible for the violence would be prosecuted, assuring residents that the command would continue working to safeguard lives and property across the state.