Farmers-herders violence in FCT

Three people have been reportedly killed and several others injured in a renewed farmers-herders clash in Paikon-Kore community, Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with houses and a motorcycle reportedly set ablaze. The violence, which began on Saturday afternoon and continued until Sunday morning, also left several shops at the Paikon-Kore village market burnt and goods destroyed. Experts urge that there is a need to nip the brewing crisis in the bud to avoid recurring deadly scenarios witnessed in other states like Benue and Plateau states, where farmers-herders clashes have claimed hundreds of lives and displaced many. A resident of the community, Danlami Ibrahim, said the clash started after some herders allegedly allowed their cattle into a groundnut farm whose crops were yet to be harvested. He said the farm owner confronted the herders over the intrusion, triggering a heated argument. According to him, one of the herders allegedly brought out a cutlass and attacked a farmer, severing one of his hands. Ibrahim said the incident sparked anger among residents, particularly after other community members learnt of the farmer’s injury, leading to a reprisal in which three herders were reportedly killed. He added that two houses, several shops and a motorcycle were set ablaze during the violence. The resident said the clash continued until Sunday morning, leaving several people injured. Some of the victims were subsequently taken to hospitals in Gwagwalada for treatment. At Sabon Nakowa Hospital, a private medical facility in Gwagwalada, some victims were seen receiving treatment. Two others were also observed undergoing treatment at the accident and emergency unit of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital. The Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Gwagwalada Area Council chapter, Mohammed Usman, said three herders lost their lives. “For now, information at my disposal shows that three herders lost their lives. That is what I can say for now, while I am yet to get the number of those who sustained injuries,” he said. Usman said he would provide further information as it became available, adding that he had informed the Gwagwalada Area Council chairman, Kasim Mohammed Ikwa, about the incident. Ikwa, who visited the affected community on Sunday alongside the Divisional Police Officer, SP Aaron H. Kaura, and other security operatives, condemned the renewed violence, describing it as unfortunate. He said the council would convene a stakeholders’ meeting on Monday (today) to deliberate on the crisis and seek ways to prevent further violence. The chairman urged both warring parties to embrace peace and avoid actions capable of escalating tensions. He also called on youths in Paikon-Kore to exercise restraint and promote peaceful coexistence with other residents, warning against confrontation and retaliatory attacks. Ikwa advised farmers whose crops were damaged by cattle to report such incidents to the relevant security agencies rather than resorting to self-help. He noted that such conflicts often affected innocent people who might not even understand the circumstances that triggered the dispute. The chairman further urged residents to cooperate with security personnel deployed to the community, adding that an expanded security meeting had been convened, with youth leaders, the Sarkin Noma and other community leaders from both sides invited to seek a lasting solution. He said anyone who felt unfairly treated or believed their complaints had not received adequate attention should report directly to him for intervention, stressing that grievances must be addressed through lawful channels. Meanwhile, soldiers, police officers, vigilantes and personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been deployed to the community to restore calm. The FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Adeh Josephine, did not answer calls seeking the command’s reaction as of the time of filing this report.