3 dead, shops burnt as farmers, herders clash in FCT

At least three people have been confirmed dead and several others injured following a clash between farmers and herders in the Paikon-Kore community of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The violence, which began on Saturday afternoon and spilled into Sunday morning, left houses, local market shops, and motorcycles completely razed.

The dispute started when cattle allegedly encroached on an unharvested groundnut farm within the Gwagwalada Area Council. The dispute turned violent when a herder reportedly attacked a farmer with a cutlass, inflicting injuries on his hand which later resulted in a reprisal attack by aggrieved residents.

The Gwagwalada Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Mohammed Usman, stated that three herders were killed during the reprisal attack. He added that injured victims are currently receiving treatment at the Sabon Nakowa Hospital and the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital.

Joint operations comprising soldiers, police operatives, and personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been deployed to the community to maintain law and order. The FCT Police Command has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident as at the time this report was published.

Accompanied by the Divisional Police Officer, SP Aaron Kaura, on an assessment visit, the Gwagwalada Area Council Chairman, Kasim Mohammed Ikwa, urged the conflicting parties to embrace peace and avoid further breakdown of law and order.

“We have convened an expanded security meeting involving youth leaders, the Sarkin Noma, and other community leaders from both sides to seek a lasting solution. Anyone who feels unfairly treated must channel their grievances through lawful authorities rather than confrontation”, Ikwa.

The Gwagwalada Area Council has convened an emergency stakeholders’ meeting to restore calm and halt further reprisals.