By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Bauchi State Government has constituted and inaugurated a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to look into the remote and immediate causes of the recent Lanzai Dosho farmers-herders violent crisis that led to killing of Eleven people, injuries to many others while not less than 100 houses were razed in Darazo Local Government Area.
The Commission was inaugurated on Tuesday by the State Governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, who was represented by his Deputy, Rt Hon Muhammad Awwal Jatau, at the Executive Chambers of the Deputy Governor’s office.
The Governor, in hs inauguration speech, stated that, “We are gathered here today with heavy hearts, compelled to act by a tragedy that must never be allowed to repeat itself. The recurrent clashes between our farmers and herders have escalated into violent confrontations, leading to catastrophic losses of life, property, and the displacement of innocent citizens.”
The Governor stated that, “You may kindly wish to recall that one of such crises had erupted in Darazo LGA when farmers from Lanzai were prevented from cultivating a certain farm land by the people of Dosho village. Youths mobilized from Lanzai had attacked Dosho village with reports received of the death of 2 persons and the destruction of over 55 houses and several properties.”
According to him, “A reprisal attack by persons mobilized from Dosho was also reported to have similarly led to the death of 9 persons and destruction of over 10 houses.”
Bala Mohammed stressed that, “It is rather disturbing and unfortunate that these crises had become recurring in Darazo Local Government despite our efforts to maintain relative peace and security in all parts of the State. Last year we had similar incidents in Yautare, Farin Ruwa and Aliyah Forests which also led to the death of 5 Police Officers in their efforts to quell the crises.”
A visibly angry Governor stated that, “The senseless destruction of livelihoods and communities is completely unacceptable. We cannot allow criminality and resource disputes to continue to destabilize our society. The Government will not fold its arms and watch the lives and properties of citizens destroyed without appropriate punishment meted out to the perpetrators.”
“To halt this cycle of violence and ensure justice is served, the State Government has set up this Judicial Commission of Inquiry which is being officially inaugurated today,” the Governor added.
The Governor then announced membership of the Commission is as follows: Grand Khadi Abdullahi Yakubu Marafa (Rtd) – Chairman,
Hon. Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice,
Commissioner, Ministry for Land & Survey, .Commissioner, Ministry for Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs, Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture, Commissioner, Ministry of Livestock Development and Chief Security Adviser to the Governor.
Others are: Chairperson, Darazo LGC, Representative of the Emir of Darazo, Representative of Commissioner of Police, Representative of the Director, State Security Service,
Representative of Commandant Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps, Representative of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Representative of Kautal Pulaaku Fulbe Association of Nigeria,
Permanent Secretary, Political – Secretary and Director Civil Litigation, Ministry of Justice – Co-Secretary.
The terms of reference of the Commission will be to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the conflict, Casualty Assessment, Ascertain the exact number of lives lost and the severity of injuries as well as determine the extent of property destruction, including houses and other properties.
It is also to Identify the individuals, groups, or community leaders responsible for the violence including sponsors and instigators of reprisal attacks, so they can be brought to justice, make recommendations on concrete steps for lasting peace, territorial demarcation and the prosecution of perpetrators and present a report to the Government within a period of one month.
“Let me make it very clear that both our farming and herding communities are integral to our economy, food security, and shared heritage. We must reject any attempts to weaponize these conflicts along ethnic lines,” he stressed.
The Governor further stressed that, “Violence has never solved any dispute; it only breeds a cycle of grief and underdevelopment. The government is committed to protecting the rights and livelihoods of all citizens.”
He then urged all stakeholders, farmers, herders, community leaders, traditional rulers, and youth leaders to cooperate fully with the Commission and provide the necessary intelligence and truthful testimonies and embrace dialogue in order to achieve lasting peace.
He added, “Considering the caliber of members of this Commission, especially the Chairman, Khadi Abdullahi Yakubu Marafa (Rtd); I have no doubt that you will deploy your deep knowledge and experiences to get to the root cause of the problem and advise the Government appropriately based on the terms of reference.”
Recall that the Governor had visited Lanzai on Friday, 5th June 2026 to commiserate with the affected communities and had provided relief materials in form of food items, mats and blankets.
Arrangements for the provision of building materials including cement and roofing sheets have also been made as support to cushion the effect of the destruction and loss of properties.
In his acceptance speech, on behalf of members of the Commission, the Chairman, Khadi Abdullahi Yakubu Marafa, thanked the Governor for finding them worthy of membership of the Commission, saying that it was a rare privilege to serve the State.
While lamenting the situation, he said that it was uncalled for and unnecessary considering the fact that farmers and herders belong to the same community and in fact, members of the same family.
On behalf of members of the Commission, the Chairman assured that they will keep to the terms of reference and come out with workable recommendations
Leave a Comment