At least 18 people have been confirmed dead following a fresh wave of violence linked to the long-running conflict between farmers and herders in Niger State, according to the police.
The Niger State Police Command said the violence began on Monday night when armed attackers invaded Godoro Village in the Katako area of Rafi Local Government Area, killing a 25-year-old man.
Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun said the killing triggered a retaliatory attack by members of a local vigilante group, who reportedly blocked a road and killed a 28-year-old man.
In a separate incident on Tuesday night, 15 people were reportedly burnt alive inside a two-room house in Angwan-Baago, a community near Godoro Village. Another person was killed in a different attack, bringing the official death toll to at least 18.
However, residents believe the actual number of casualties could be significantly higher. Local sources estimate that between 43 and 48 people may have been killed in the series of attacks and reprisals.
“Although we cannot confirm the exact number of victims, our estimate is that 43 people were killed,” a resident, Hamza Maisaje Kwana, said.
The violence is believed to be connected to the longstanding tensions between predominantly Hausa farming communities and Fulani herders over land use and grazing rights.
The local vigilante group known as Yan Ansakai, originally formed to defend communities against armed bandits, has also faced allegations of carrying out extrajudicial killings and attacks against Fulani herders. In response to insecurity, some Fulani communities have also established self-defence groups.
The recurring clashes have claimed thousands of lives over the years and displaced countless families, drawing national and international concern over the worsening security situation in Nigeria’s north-central region.
Security agencies say investigations into the latest attacks are ongoing, while efforts have been intensified to restore peace and prevent further violence in the affected communities.
Experienced broadcast journalist with over 5 years of experience in reporting, multimedia editing, and storytelling across both traditional and digital media. I currently work with Vision FM 92.1 and Daily Frontier, where I report on security, conflict, and humanitarian issues, while also translating news into Hausa and Pidgin to reach wider audiences.
I also serve as a correspondent for Daily Frontier in Plateau and Benue States, Nigeria, covering security, conflict, and humanitarian developments in the region.
I hold a Diploma in Mass Communication from Adamawa State Polytechnic and a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from the National Open University of Nigeria.
