18 KILLED, INCLUDING 15 BURNT TO DEATH, IN NIGER COMMUNAL CLASH
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By; Ganiyat Sunmola
No fewer than 18 people have been killed in a renewed communal clash triggered by a longstanding land dispute in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, with 15 of the victims reportedly burnt to death after attackers set a two-bedroom apartment on fire.
The latest attack occurred on Tuesday night at Angwan-Baago, near Godoro village, where the victims were trapped inside the building and burnt alive, according to the Niger State Police Command.
Police said another person was killed at a separate location, raising the death toll from the crisis to 18.
Authorities believe the violence is connected to a protracted land dispute between two communities in the area.
The crisis reportedly began on June 29 when suspected gunmen shot and killed 25-year-old Ibrahim Musa in Godoro village.
According to the police, the killing sparked a reprisal attack during which members of a local vigilante group, popularly known as Yansakai, allegedly blocked a road and killed 28-year-old Bashir Mazi.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Wasiu Abiodun, said both incidents were linked to the lingering land dispute.
“On June 30, 2026, at about 2 p.m., a report was received from the Katako District in Rafi Local Government Area indicating that on June 29, 2026, at about 11:30 p.m., suspected armed men opened fire on Ibrahim Musa, 25, at Godoro village, killing him on the spot,” Abiodun said.
“As a result, a group of Yansakai blocked the road and killed Bashir Mazi, 28. The attacks were allegedly connected to a longstanding land dispute between two communities in the area.”
He added that investigations were ongoing to identify those behind the attacks, while a reconciliation committee led by local government officials had been working with security agencies to restore peace.
Providing an update on Thursday, Abiodun disclosed that the violence had escalated.
“On July 1, 2026, at about 10 p.m., a report indicated that 15 people were burnt to death inside a two-bedroom apartment at Angwan-Baago via Godoro village, while another person was killed at a different location, bringing the total number of deaths to 18,” he said.
He noted that the reconciliation committee had continued its engagement with the affected communities, while joint police and military patrols had been deployed to maintain law and order.
A community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, alleged that the conflict involved members of the Fulani and Kamuku communities.
The source claimed that several houses were destroyed during the violence and that women and children were among those most severely affected.
The Chairman of Rafi Local Government Area, Ayuba Katako, confirmed the incident but declined to disclose the casualty figure.
He said security personnel had been deployed to contain the situation and assured residents that efforts were underway to identify and apprehend those responsible.
“Yes, the crisis occurred in my local government area, but security agencies have been mobilised to bring the situation under control. No responsible government will stand by and allow its citizens to be killed without taking decisive action,” he said.
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