A Jigawa State farmers' and herders' special court has ordered nine cattle herders to pay N500 million as compensation to farmers whose crops were destroyed in the Birnin Kudu Local Government Area of the state. The ruling was delivered on Tuesday by Yusuf Abubakar, who based his decision on relevant provisions of the Penal Code, …
9 Herders to Pay N500m Compensation for Destroying Farmers’ Crops
A Jigawa State farmers’ and herders’ special court has ordered nine cattle herders to pay N500 million as compensation to farmers whose crops were destroyed in the Birnin Kudu Local Government Area of the state.
The ruling was delivered on Tuesday by Yusuf Abubakar, who based his decision on relevant provisions of the Penal Code, including sections 78, 19 and 322.
Police-filed Suit, Multiple Offences
The case was instituted by the Jigawa State Commissioner of Police against Ilu Adamu and eight other defendants after more than two years of legal proceedings.
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According to Premium Times, the defendants were charged with four offences, including unlawfully allowing their cattle to stray into cultivated farmlands, leading to extensive destruction of crops, contrary to section 97 of the Penal Code.
Property Damage, Injuries, Right of Appeal
In his judgement, the court also held the defendants liable for the destruction of property belonging to the Jigawa State chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN).
The judge found that the herders burnt a tractor tyre and a motorcycle owned by the AFAN chairman, an offence punishable under section 326 of the Penal Code, and ordered them to pay N500,000 as compensation.
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Abubakar further ruled that the defendants caused bodily harm to some farmers during the incidents, in violation of sections 332 and 114 of the Penal Code.
After reviewing the prosecution’s evidence, the court found the herders guilty on all counts, ordered them to pay N500 million in damages to the affected farmers, and granted them 30 days to appeal the judgement.
The incidents occurred in the Kwarsa, Larau and Tukuda forest areas of Birnin Kudu LGA, where communities have recorded recurring clashes between farmers and herders over land use and grazing rights.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
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