A violent clash between farmers and herders in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State has left six people dead, including a pregnant woman. Several others were injured, and properties, including houses, motorcycles, and a police patrol vehicle, were set on fire during the conflict.
The Nasarawa State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement released on Tuesday in Lafia by its spokesperson, SP Nansel Ranham. He noted that security personnel had been sent to the area to restore peace and that six bodies had been recovered so far.
“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.
In addition to the fatalities, three injured victims—Samaniya Wa’azu, Vincent Ezekiel, and Johnson Maikasuwa—were rescued and taken to a medical facility for treatment.
Ranham further noted that security reinforcements had been deployed to the area, including personnel from the Mobile Police Force, other police operatives, and the military. These forces are currently patrolling the community to prevent further violence.
“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 statement added.
The police also confirmed that two suspects had been arrested in connection with the violence and assured that calm had been restored in the area.
Meanwhile, a resident, Yakubu Joshua, claimed that the actual death toll was higher than what was officially reported. He alleged that more than 20 people had lost their lives, with many still missing.
