The Bauchi State Police have arrested a 15-year-old boy identified as Ibrahim for allegedly cutting off a farmer’s hand following a disagreement over farmland intrusion.
The incident occurred at Gital village, situated along the Bauchi Gombe road.
According to the police spokesperson, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, the conflict arose when Ibrahim’s cattle grazed on the farmer’s land, causing significant damage to crops.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Ibrahim had repeatedly trespassed onto the victim’s farmland while tending to his cows.
“The unfortunate incident followed a series of complaints to the suspect’s father by the victim for intrusion into his rice farmland by the suspect. Investigation revealed that on the 24th of August, 2023, the suspect who was armed with a stick and machete, mischievously invaded the victim’s farmland and destroyed the yet-to-be-ascertained value of crops.
A disagreement ensued, in the course of which the suspect stabbed the victim upon asking him to vacate his farmland. As a result, the victim’s left hand was chopped off. The suspect drew his machete and chopped off the left hand of the victim” SP Ahmed said.
Upon receiving the report, the Area Commander, Metropolitan, swiftly initiated action and implemented additional measures to prevent a recurrence in the area.
The suspect was promptly arrested. The victim was rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital in Bauchi for medical treatment, and there are indications that he is responding well to medical intervention.