CCC
The conflict, which erupted on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, stemmed from a minor disagreement over land access that escalated into a deadly ethnic confrontation.
According to multiple sources, the incident began around 10:30 a.m. when Shaibu Adamu, a Fulani herder, attempted to pass through a farmland owned by a Gwari farmer identified as Sa’adu without livestock.
Sa’adu objected, insisting Adamu use an alternative route, leading to a heated argument that turned physical. Both men sustained minor injuries during the altercation.
The situation deteriorated when Shaibu Adamu’s elder brother, Adamu Ibrahim, allegedly attacked a Gwari resident, Dahiru Yakubu, with a machete.
Yakubu was rushed to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital but succumbed to his injuries. The news of Yakubu’s death triggered outrage among Gwari youths, who, in retaliation, stormed the Fulani settlement in Gurfata village, setting 31 houses ablaze and injuring at least three individuals.
A community elder, described the escalation: “The quarrel wouldn’t have gone far, but emotions ran high, and others began to take sides.”
The violence reignited longstanding ethnic tensions between the Fulani and Gwari communities in the village, highlighting unresolved issues over land use and access.
Security operatives, including troops from the Nigerian Army and other law enforcement agencies, were swiftly deployed to the area to restore order and prevent further violence.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has appealed for calm and urged both communities to exercise restraint.
Peace talks are currently underway to mediate between the groups and prevent further escalation, with community leaders and local authorities facilitating discussions.
The clash has left many villagers homeless, with significant property damage reported.
Residents are calling for government intervention to address the root causes of the conflict, including disputes over land rights and ethnic tensions. Authorities have promised to investigate the incident thoroughly and ensure justice for the victims.
This incident follows a pattern of communal clashes in Nigeria, often triggered by disputes over resources such as farmland or grazing routes.
Analysts have urged the government to implement long-term solutions, including conflict resolution mechanisms and policies to address land use disputes, to prevent future outbreaks of violence.
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