A violent clash between hunters and farmers in Kumtumbiliyili, a community in the Zabzugu District of the Northern Region, has left two people dead and several others injured.
Eyewitnesses reported that the conflict erupted when a group of hunters invaded the area for a hunting expedition. While hunting, they allegedly set fire to the land, destroying a farmer’s yam barn and triggering the confrontation.
Residents confronted the hunters near the affected farm, but the situation escalated when more hunters, who were still in the bush, joined the altercation.
Hunting in the area had previously been banned by National Security, particularly in conflict-prone communities such as Kandin, Sheini, and Nahuyili. However, hunters resumed their activities a month ago, leading to the latest outbreak of violence.
Group hunting is a common practice in the region, with hunters traveling in trucks to different locations, often setting fires that result in widespread bushfires. Farmers and stakeholders have long called for a complete ban on such expeditions, but no region-wide enforcement has been implemented.
In the aftermath of the clash, many residents have fled into the bushes, fearing for their safety. The injured are currently receiving treatment at the Tatale Hospital. Notably, one of the individuals initially presumed dead has regained consciousness and is now receiving medical care.
A resident cautioned that ethnic tensions are being drawn into the incident, raising concerns that it could escalate into a larger conflict if not managed carefully.
Meanwhile, the Assembly Member for the area, Punala Daniel, has called for urgent security reinforcements to prevent further violence and restore calm.
