No fewer than 15 people were burnt alive in a two-bedroom apartment, while three others were shot dead in separate attacks linked to a lingering land dispute in Niger State.
The latest violence occurred after unidentified attackers reportedly invaded a house where the victims were sleeping, set the building on fire, and killed all 15 occupants.
Eyewitnesses told The Punch that the attacks took place in Mararraban Gwadaro and Tashan Bako communities in Rafi Local Government Area, where tensions over a land dispute have continued to escalate.
Findings by our correspondent showed that the crisis began on June 29 at about 11:30 p.m. in Godoro village when suspected gunmen allegedly shot and killed 25-year-old Ibrahim Musa.
In the aftermath of Musa’s death, some aggrieved persons reportedly launched a reprisal attack, blocked a major road, and killed 28-year-old Bashir Mazi.
The incident was said to be connected to the protracted land conflict between the affected communities.
A resident, who requested anonymity, said the violence involved members of the Fulani and Kamuku communities in Rafi Local Government Area.
According to the source, at least 10 people had already been killed and several houses razed before the latest attack.
The resident lamented that women and children had borne the brunt of the violence and appealed to security agencies and all levels of government to intervene urgently to prevent further bloodshed.
Chairman of Rafi Local Government Area, Ayuba Katako, confirmed the incident but declined to disclose the number of casualties.
He, however, assured residents that investigations had commenced to identify those behind the attacks and ensure they were brought to justice.
Katako said no responsible government will fold its arms and allow its people to be killed without stamping it’s authority with a view to bringing such problems to a halt, noting that security operatives had been drafted to the local government areas to halt the crisis.
“Yes, the crisis happened in my local government area but security agents have been drafted to halt the situation. No reasonable government will fold its hands and allow its people to be killed without stamping its authority to end the crisis,” he said.
The spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, also confirmed the incident on Wednesday, saying investigations were underway to identify those responsible.
“On 30/6/2026 at about 2 pm, report received from Katako District Area of Rafi LGA indicated that on 29/6/2026 at about 11.30pm at Godoro village, suspected armed men fired gunshots at one Ibrahim Musa 25 years who died on the spot.
“As a result of this, a group of Yansakai people blocked the road and killed one Bashir Mazi, 28 years. This attack was allegedly linked to a lingering land crisis between two tribes in the area.
“However, investigation is ongoing to identify the perpetrators of this act, while a reconciliation committee headed by the local government council officials are working with the security agencies towards addressing the crisis, but normalcy is restored in the area,” Abiodun narrated.
In a fresh update issued on Thursday, the police spokesman disclosed that 15 people were burnt to death in a two-bedroom apartment during another attack.
“Furthermore, on 1/7/2026 at 10 pm report received indicated that fifteen persons were reportedly burnt to death in a two-bedroom flat at Angwan-Baago via Godoro village, while one other person was also killed at another location, bringing the total number of deaths to figure 18.
“However, a reconciliation committee headed by the local government council officials are working with the security agencies towards addressing the crisis, as joint Police and military patrols have been deployed to the area to restore peace,” Abiodun stated.
