Deadly clash between farmers, herders in Nasarawa leaves 6 dead

A violent clash between farmers and herders in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State has reportedly claimed six lives, including that of a pregnant woman.

The conflict, which erupted in the volatile region, also left several others injured. In the wake of the violence, houses, motorcycles, and even a police patrol vehicle were set ablaze, underscoring the severity of the crisis.

This latest clash highlights the growing tensions between farmers and herders in the region, as disputes over land and grazing rights continue to escalate.

Confirming the incident, the Nasarawa State Police Command, through its spokesperson SP Nansel Ranham, issued a statement on Tuesday in Lafia, the state capital.

Ranham disclosed that security personnel had been deployed to the area to restore order and that six bodies had so far been recovered.

“The six corpses recovered and identified are Simeon Madaki, Ayawu Senior, Sunday Wa’azu, Vincent Sunday, Taimako Senior, and Filibus Jatau Mai’anguwa.

“Some houses, shops, motorcycles, and a car were also vandalised during the attack,” the statement read.

Ranham added that three injured victims—Samaniya Wa’azu, Vincent Ezekiel, and Johnson Maikasuwa—were rescued and taken to a medical facility for treatment.

It added,

“To ensure law and order, the area has been reinforced with personnel from the Mobile Police of 69 PMF Toto, alongside other police operatives and the military, who are currently patrolling the vicinity.

“However, in the course of the intervention, the mob vandalised a police patrol vehicle and later set fire to a nearby Ruga settlement where the suspect, Sani, resided. This led to the unfortunate death of one Azumi Allah Gaba and her unborn child.”

The police further disclosed that two suspects had been arrested in connection with the violence and that normalcy had been restored to the affected community.

Meanwhile, a resident, Yakubu Joshua, claimed the death toll was higher than officially reported, alleging that more than 20 people had been killed and many others remained missing.