Police Inspector Killed, Another Injured in Herdsmen Ambush in Jigawa
By Zagazola Makama
A police inspector has been killed while another sustained serious injuries after suspected Fulani herdsmen ambushed a joint security team responding to reports of farm destruction in Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
The incident occurred at about 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2026, in a forest area of Gwaram, following a distress call reporting that suspected herders were destroying farmlands.
According to a security report obtained by Zagazola Makama, a combined team of personnel from Gwaram Police Division, Fagam Division, 35 Police Mobile Force (PMF), the Vigilance and Community Response Unit (VCRU) and Operation Salama responded to the distress call.
The security personnel had been conducting patrols in the area due to recurring activities involving suspected herders when they came under attack.
The attackers reportedly ambushed the team and rained arrows on the security personnel.
During the attack, Inspector Bukar Wakili, attached to Gwaram Division, was struck in the face by an arrow and sustained serious injuries.
As the security team attempted to withdraw from the ambush, Inspector Mohammed Shafiu, attached to VCRU Dutse, reportedly fell down.
His colleagues immediately picked him up and rushed both injured officers to a hospital for medical attention.
However, Inspector Shafiu was pronounced dead by medical personnel, while Inspector Bukar Ali was referred to the Malam Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in Kano for further treatment.
Following the incident, additional tactical teams from the Jigawa State Police Command were mobilised to the area to reinforce the personnel already on ground.
The reinforcement is expected to support efforts to apprehend those responsible for the attack and maintain law and order in the affected community.
The Police Command has commenced investigation into the incident, while security personnel remain deployed in the area to prevent further attacks and restore normalcy.
The latest incident underscores the security challenges associated with recurring farmer-herder disputes in parts of the state, particularly where disputes over farmland and grazing activities have the potential to escalate into violence.
