Police Arrest 15-year-old Herder for Cutting Off Farmer’s Hand in Bauchi

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi

Police operatives  in Bauchi State have arrested a herder, Adamu Ibrahim, 15, of Jital village on Gombe road in the state, who used a machete to amputate a farmer’s hand.

According to a statement made available to journalists at the weekend by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Superintendent of Police Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, the suspect was arrested by the operatives of the Area Command’s Metro.

The statement added that: “One Adamu Ibrahim of Jital village on Gombe road, Bauchi State, has been arrested for trespass, mischief and causing grievous hurt.”

It further explained that preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had on several occasions trespassed into the victim’s farmland with his cows while rearing.

The PPRO said the unfortunate incident followed a series of complaints to the suspect’s father by the victim for intrusion into his rice farmland by the suspect.

The statement also explained that: “Investigation revealed that on August 24, 2023, the suspect, who was armed with a stick and machete, mischievously invaded the victim’s farmland and destroyed the yet-to-be-ascertained value of crops.”

Wakil said a disagreement had ensued in the course of which the suspect stabbed the victim upon asking him to vacate his farmland; the suspect drew his machete and chopped off the left hand of the victim.”

He said on receiving the report, the Area Commander, Metropolitan, swung into action and activated more preventive measures to avert circumstances that might result in a herder-farmer clash in the area.

The PPRO stated that a directive was issued to have the suspect arrested while the victim was taken to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi for medical attention.

Wakil, who said the victim is responding to treatment, pointed out that the state Commissioner of Police, Auwal Musa Mohammed, has warned herders to steer clear from intrusion into farmlands in the state.

Wakli said that the CP directed that the suspect be charged in court upon completion of the discreet investigation.