Authorities in Niger State have verified that 18 individuals lost their lives during a violent land dispute in the Angwan-Baago community, located in the Katako District of Rafi Local Government Area. SP Wasiu Abiodun, the spokesperson for the state police command, announced the tragic news on Thursday, noting that the hostilities began on Monday and intensified by Wednesday.
The violence reportedly started in Godoro Village on Monday when armed individuals fatally shot 25-year-old Ibrahim Musa. In an apparent act of retaliation, local vigilantes known as Yansakai obstructed a road and killed 28-year-old Bashir Mazi. This sequence of attacks, rooted in a long-standing disagreement between two ethnic groups over land rights, worsened significantly. According to reports from Wednesday, 15 people were killed in a fire at a residence in Angwan-Baago, and an additional individual was murdered elsewhere, pushing the total number of fatalities to 18.
In response, a reconciliation committee established by local government officials is collaborating with security forces to settle the conflict. The police have confirmed that joint military and police units have been stationed in the area to maintain order and prevent further bloodshed.
