The Birnin Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (BEPU), has expressed sorrow, grave concern and condemned in strong terms the brutal killing of six innocent farmers by armed bandits on Monday, 22 June 2026, at Kujijiro farmlands in Kuyello District of Birnin Gwari Local Government Area.

Dr Isah Muhammad, Chairman, Birnin Gwari Emirate Progressives Union (BEPU), in a statement issued on Tuesday and made available to DAILY POST said, “The victims were mercilessly attacked and killed while carrying out their lawful farming activities.

“This tragic incident has once again thrown the entire Birnin Gwari community into grief and fear. It is particularly disturbing because Kuyello and other communities in Eastern Birnin Gwari have continued to suffer attacks, killings and other criminal activities despite ongoing efforts to restore peace in the area.”

BEPU believed that the continued attacks on innocent farmers and rural communities pose a serious threat to the peace and stability that the people of Birnin Gwari have worked hard to achieve, saying that no part of Birnin Gwari should be left behind in the search for lasting peace.

He stressed that Birnin Gwari is one community with a shared history and a common future, pointing out that whether in the East, West or Central parts of the Emirate, the pain of one community is the pain of all.

“As long as any part of Birnin Gwari remains unsafe, true peace cannot be said to exist. We are deeply worried that if urgent and decisive action is not taken to stop these attacks, many farmers may become afraid to return to their farms this season. Such a situation will not only affect Birnin Gwari but may also lead to reduced food production, higher food prices and economic difficulties across Kaduna State and other parts of Northern Nigeria,” he explained.

BEPU called on the Federal and the Kaduna State Governments to take immediate and practical steps to eliminate criminal groups that have ignored peace and continue to terrorise innocent citizens.

It also appealed to the Minister of Defence, the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force and all other security agencies to intensify security operations in Kuyello and the wider Eastern Birnin Gwari area, saying that the people deserve to live in peace, work on their farms and carry out their daily activities without fear.

The Union urged the Kaduna State Government to give greater attention to the security challenges facing Eastern Birnin Gwari by strengthening security presence and providing the necessary support to protect lives and property.

According to the statement, “Our hearts go out to the families of those who lost their loved ones in this painful attack. We pray that God grants eternal rest to the deceased and gives their families the strength to bear this great loss.”

The statement also appealed to the people of Birnin Gwari, especially farmers and community members, to remain calm, united and law-abiding, by encouraging everyone to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing useful information that can help in tackling insecurity.

It explained that BEPU remains committed to working with government, security agencies and all stakeholders to ensure that Birnin Gwari never returns to the dark days of widespread killings, kidnappings and fear.

No fewer than eight people have been killed following a clash between farmers and herders in Gulma town, Argungu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The violence reportedly erupted after a herder allegedly stabbed a farmer to death on his farmland, triggering a reprisal attack by members of the farming community on Fulani settlements in the area.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Bashir Usman, said the clash occurred at about 3 p.m. on Monday and claimed eight lives.

“The incident was a reprisal attack following the stabbing of a farmer by a herder. We are currently in control of the situation, and eight people lost their lives,” he said.

Usman said security operatives rescued four persons during the violence and took them to hospital for treatment, adding that they had since been discharged.

He said normalcy had been restored in the area, while security personnel had been deployed to maintain law and order.

The police spokesman urged residents to remain peaceful, cooperate with security agencies and avoid taking the law into their own hands.

A source familiar with the incident said the crisis stemmed from a dispute between the deceased farmer and the herder over a cow whose leg was allegedly broken while the farmer was trying to chase the animals away from his farmland.

According to the source, the herder later confronted the farmer over the incident, and during the altercation allegedly stabbed him to death, sparking retaliatory attacks that escalated into communal violence.

Security operatives have intercepted a cache of arms and ammunition allegedly destined for criminal elements operating within and around Kogi State, leading to the arrest of three suspects.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo.

According to the statement, the operation was carried out through a joint effort involving local security operatives under the Kogi State security architecture, Hybrid Forces operating under the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, and the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army.

The state government said intelligence reports alerted security agencies to the movement of arms and ammunition allegedly intended for delivery to criminal groups, with a Golf 2 vehicle identified as the means of transportation.

Acting on the intelligence, security agencies reportedly coordinated surveillance efforts across state boundaries and worked with the Sokoto State Government and security agencies in the state to monitor the suspects.

The statement disclosed that three suspects were arrested in Sokoto State after being placed under covert surveillance for more than two weeks.

According to the government, preliminary investigations have yielded useful intelligence, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the alleged arms trafficking network.

Security operatives later intercepted the weapons consignment and impounded the vehicle allegedly used in transporting the items in Kabba, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Recovered items included two AK-47 rifles, several AK-47 magazines, 67 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, two pistols, 12 rounds of pistol ammunition and military uniforms.

The government said intelligence reports linked the arms movement to alleged efforts by criminal groups to rearm following recent security setbacks and increased security operations in parts of the state.

According to the statement, security agencies had intensified intelligence gathering, surveillance and collaboration with other agencies following reports of possible attempts by criminal groups to regroup and acquire new weapons.

The government commended security agencies involved in the operation, including the Department of State Services, DSS, Hybrid Forces under ONSA and the Nigerian Army, describing the operation as a result of intelligence-led security efforts.