Herders Assault Farmers in Niger's Baji Community

On September 23, 2026, herders attacked farmers in Baji Community, located in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, resulting in serious injuries to three farmers: Yahaya Ibrahim, Rabiu Jibrin, and Bashar Mohammed. The attack involved machetes and occurred around 11 am.

Malam Usman Yusuf, the traditional ruler of Baji and Madakin Baji, confirmed the incident to journalists in Minna, emphasizing that this attack is part of a larger pattern where over 60 farmers have faced various assaults in the past five years. The herders have been seizing cultivated farmlands to graze their cattle, leading to threats against farmers who attempt to access their lands.

Yusuf noted that a recent peace meeting involving security agencies, including the police, DSS, NSCDC, and community leaders, has not resolved the ongoing issues, as herders continue to illegally occupy farmlands and destroy crops, affecting over 92 households.