Gombe Farmers Face Security Test Despite Protection Measures
Babaji Usman
In Gombe, recent attacks in Akko and other parts of the state show that while Gombe has expanded its security architecture, some farming communities still remain exposed to violence and crop losses.
There is no recent notable incident the last attacks in Pindiga earlier in the season and recent crop destruction disputes show there is still need for measures that ensure farmers’ actual ability to reach their farms, harvest their crops and transport them home without fear.
Between late 2025 and January 2026, attacks on Pindiga, Garin Galadima, Laro, Rahama and neighbouring communities in Akko LGA, left several people dead, and others abducted, with residents also suffering displacement and loss of livelihoods.
A farmer, Adamu Abdullahi, told Jewel Post that besides Akko, Daban Fulani, Kwami LGA, in August farmers reported that cattle allegedly entered cultivated farms, destroying crops and triggering a confrontation in which two farmers, identified as Muhammad Idris and his brother were injured. The farmer recalled that the destruction threatened their investments and appealed for stronger security and government intervention.
In Hinna, Yamaltu/Deba, farmers reported losing more than 17 farms covering about 14 hectares to hippopotamus attacks, while a cluster of rice farmers said they pooled N150,000 monthly to pay hunters to protect their 20-hectare farms.
Last week, the Gombe State government reactivated the Farmers-Herders Prevention and Settlement of Disputes Committee, directed the 11 local government chairmen to replicate the mechanism at local government, district and ward levels, banned night grazing and warned herders against entering cultivated farms. Farmers were similarly cautioned against encroaching on cattle routes and designated grazing reserves.
The state government officials say its committees, Agro Rangers, Operation Hattara, community security structures and restrictions on grazing are also designed to keep the farming season peaceful.
Jewel Post recalls that in June, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) inaugurated an Agro Rangers operational base at Kanawa Forest Reserve in Yamaltu/Deba, constructed with support from the state government and ACReSAL. The officials said the base, equipped with residential facilities, solar power and a motorised borehole, was intended to provide protection for agricultural assets and strengthen the response to farmer-herder conflicts. Two motorcycles were also provided for patrol and to facilitate rapid response.
The police have collaboration with Operation Hattara, joint patrols, hunters and vigilantes, alongside intelligence-led operations. In July, Police Commissioner Umar Chuso also convened stakeholders from the state’s 11 LGAs, saying community level intervention was essential because farmer-herder conflicts differed from one locality to another.
