Tension has spread across the Maraba/Masaka area of Nasarawa State, near Abuja, following a violent clash between herders and local vigilantes that left at least three people dead and several homes destroyed.
The incident, which happened between late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning, caused panic in Aso community, close to a primary school, as residents fled for safety.
According to locals, the crisis began after the body of a suspected herder was discovered under unclear circumstances. This reportedly triggered a reprisal attack by armed herders.
Witnesses said the attackers stormed the community in large numbers, shooting sporadically, burning houses, and forcing people to run into nearby bushes.
One resident said the violence broke out around the primary school area, with several buildings set ablaze as villagers struggled to escape.
Police authorities confirmed the incident, explaining that the situation escalated after a disagreement between a herder and a farmer. The herder was said to have entered farmland and attempted to pick mangoes to feed his cattle, leading to a confrontation with local vigilantes.
During the clash, a vigilante allegedly shot the herder dead. This sparked anger among other herders, who later organised a retaliatory attack on the community.
Security forces have since been deployed to the area, and calm has reportedly been restored. Police said three bodies were recovered and taken to the hospital, while one suspect has been arrested.
The Maraba/Masaka axis has long experienced recurring tensions linked to farmer-herder conflicts, often driven by disputes over land, grazing rights, and access to resources.
