3 killed as violence erupts in Nasarawa community

Three people have been killed in a violent clash in Mararaba Gurku community, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. The incident occurred around 9 a.m. on Wednesday in the Aso A area and reportedly began as a dispute between a vigilante and a herder. Residents said the herder had allegedly led his cattle into […]

Three people have been killed in a violent clash in Mararaba Gurku community, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The incident occurred around 9 a.m. on Wednesday in the Aso A area and reportedly began as a dispute between a vigilante and a herder.

Residents said the herder had allegedly led his cattle into the vigilante’s farmland and began cutting down a mango tree to feed the animals.

A confrontation ensued, during which the vigilante, Sunday Adoye, reportedly retrieved a firearm and shot dead a 17-year-old herder, Ado Yau.

The herder’s associates then mobilised in large numbers, launching a reprisal attack on the community. During the attack, four houses, vehicles, and motorcycles were set ablaze, and four persons sustained injuries.

Confirming the incident, Nasarawa State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Ramhan Nansel, said the command received a distress call from a Fulani leader, Ardo Gidado, reporting the confrontation.

He said military personnel on patrol were called in to restore order, during which two more individuals, Muhammadu Ibrahim (25) and Ado Gambo (18), were fatally shot.

“Police visited the scene, documented casualties, and evacuated the injured to Mararaba Medical Centre for treatment. The vigilante, Sunday Adoye, has been arrested, and the firearm used in the shooting recovered. Fifteen other suspects linked to the disturbance have also been apprehended.

“To prevent further unrest, intensive patrols and surveillance have been strengthened across the affected community under the Karu Area Command.

“The case is under investigation and will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Lafia upon completion of preliminary inquiries,” Nansel said.

The Nasarawa State Chairman of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, Abubakar Akajo Gyera, blamed the vigilante for the initial shooting, claiming the herders were grazing peacefully when the confrontation occurred.

He added that the two other herders were killed in gunfire involving military personnel while retrieving the first victim’s body.

He said the victims had been buried according to Islamic rites, and families have been advised to await the official investigation.