Suspected Herdsmen Kill Residents, Burn Homes in Mararaba Community Near Abuja

FCT Police Command Spokesperson, SP Adeh Josephine

Suspected Herdsmen Kill Several, Burn Homes in Aso A Community Near Abuja

Residents of Aso A community, near Jumai Estate in Mararaba along the border of Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, were thrown into chaos early Wednesday morning after a deadly attack by suspected herdsmen. The assault reportedly left at least six people dead, destroyed homes, and displaced dozens of families. Eyewitnesses say the actual number of casualties may be higher as many residents remain unaccounted for while rescue efforts continue. Suspected herdsmen attacks in central Nigeria often stem from disputes between farmers and herders over land and grazing rights, a conflict that has escalated in recent years.

The violence reportedly began following a prior confrontation between a farmer and a herder, which resulted in the herder’s death. Residents said the fleeing farmer’s residence was the first to be targeted, but the attackers quickly extended their violence to other homes. Gunmen opened fire indiscriminately, set houses and properties ablaze, and engaged youths in the community who tried to defend their homes. Visual evidence from the scene shows several buildings completely destroyed, and at least one lifeless body being moved to a nearby medical facility in a wheelbarrow, underscoring the scale of the devastation.

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Fear and panic spread throughout the neighbourhood, with many families abandoning their homes. Some residents fled into nearby parts of the Federal Capital Territory, while others moved deeper into Nasarawa State for safety. One resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the community is gripped by terror, with families hiding indoors and refusing to return to their homes.

In response to the attack, a joint team of police and military personnel was deployed to restore calm and prevent further violence. However, the presence of security operatives has not fully allayed residents’ fears, as there are reports that more armed groups may be mobilising from nearby Keffi for reprisals. The situation worsened when a motorcyclist conveying a police officer to the affected area was ambushed and killed, further highlighting the threat posed by the assailants. Community leaders have called for urgent and sustained security intervention to protect civilians and prevent escalation.

Efforts to obtain a statement from law enforcement authorities were unsuccessful. The Divisional Police Officer of Aso A Division declined to comment when contacted, and no official statement has been released by state or federal police authorities regarding the attack.

This incident reflects the continuing challenge of herder‑farmer violence across central and northern Nigeria, where disputes over land access, crops, and grazing routes frequently escalate into deadly confrontations. States such as Nasarawa, Plateau, and Benue have witnessed similar attacks in recent years, resulting in loss of life, property destruction, and mass displacement. Security analysts stress that addressing the root causes of these conflicts—including land tenure disputes, lack of designated grazing corridors, and weak local security networks—is critical to preventing such attacks near urban and rural settlements.