Police Arrest 9 After Deadly Market Violence and Killings in Jigawa

(Jigawa Map. Photo by Punch news)

The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested nine suspects in connection with separate cases of culpable homicide, an attack on a police facility, and violent disturbances at Gujungu Market in Taura Local Government Area of the state.

This was confirmed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Shi'isu Adam, in a statement issued on Monday in Dutse, the state capital. According to the PPRO, the arrests form part of the command's sustained efforts to maintain law and order across the state.

Speaking on the unrest at Gujungu Market, Adam said the command arrested two suspects on 26 July, 2026, in connection with the violence that erupted at the market.

He explained that the disturbance began following a misunderstanding between a soldier and one Biniya Alhaji Ibrahim, 25, of Miga Local Government Area, which later escalated into violence.

He said the soldier allegedly st@bbed Biniya with a knife, inflicting injuries from which the victim was later confirmed d£ad by a medical doctor.

He added that the chaos that followed led to attacks on security personnel and property, with some hoodlums taking advantage of the situation to attack a police station, discharge bows and arrows at security personnel, and set two thatched shops ablaze within the market.

Through sustained intelligence-led operations, police operatives arrested two suspects believed to have actively participated in the attack, identified as Muhammed Muhammed, 22, of Gagarawa Local Government Area, and Faridu Mohammed, while efforts continue to apprehend other fleeing accomplices.

In a related case, the PPRO said six additional suspects were arrested on 2 August, 2026, over an attack on vigilante members using sticks and cutlasses, arising from the same disturbance.

He said the assault left one vigilante member with fatal injuries, later confirmed by a medical doctor, while a second victim remains responsive to treatment at a medical facility.

The police also disclosed that six cows believed to have been abandoned during the unrest were recovered.

The six suspects were listed as Isiyaku Abdulkarim, 55; Yahaya Habu, 31; Ibrahim Abubakar, 30; Audu Mamman Janare, 30; Ya'u Duga, 65; and Mamman Musa, 20, all from Taura, Gagarawa, Kaugama and Jahun local government areas.

In a separate case, the police said they received a report on Monday, 3 August, 2026, at about 10:30am, of a culpable homicide incident at Dabigel Village, Ringim Local Government Area.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a misunderstanding between two 20-year-old youths degenerated into violence, during which one allegedly st@bbed the other in the chest with a sharp metal object locally known as Danbuda.

Adam said the victim sustained serious injuries and was rushed to hospital, where he was confirmed d£ad by a medical doctor while receiving treatment.

According to him, police acted swiftly and arrested one Saminu Ibrahim, 20, of Gidan Gona Village, Ringim Local Government Area, in connection with the incident.

He said the case remains under investigation, after which the suspect will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Dutse for further investigation, and would subsequently be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction upon completion of the process.

Meanwhile, the command disclosed that a stakeholders' engagement involving Miyetti Allah, community leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies, youth representatives and other relevant parties is currently ongoing, aimed at addressing the root causes of the Gujungu Market incident, strengthening community cooperation and preventing a recurrence.

The Commissioner of Police commended the professionalism and swift response of officers and other security stakeholders in containing the disturbances, and assured residents that the command remains committed to protecting lives and property, and will continue to deal decisively with anyone found engaging in criminal activities.

The Jigawa State Police Command urged members of the public to remain calm and law-abiding, and to continue supporting the police by providing timely and credible information to aid ongoing investigations and enhance public safety.