By Aideloje Ojo
Minna
No fewer than 18 people have reportedly been killed following the eruption of crisis between communities in Rafi local government area of Niger state.
The crisis was said to have been triggered off when armed men shot one Ibrahim Musa dead on 29 June 2026 at Godoro village in Katako district of the local government.
It was learnt that from this incident, a group of people from Yankasai blocked the road and killed one Bashir Mazi apparently in retaliation.
However, this reportedly resulted in reprisals during which 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.
The police confirmed the incident in Minna on Thursday adding that the crisis erupted from land dispute between the communities.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, in a statement said the Chairman of the local government area has initiated reconciliations between the waring communities.
He said, “On 30/6/2026 at about 2pm, report received from Katako District area of Rafi LGA indicated on 29/6/2026 at about 11.30pm at Godoro village, suspected armed men fired gunshots at one Ibrahim Musa 25yrs who died on the spot, and as a result of this, a group of Yansakai blocked road and killed one Bashir Mazi 28yrs. This attack was allegedly linked to a lingering land crisis between two tribes in the area”.
“Furthermore, on 1/7/2026 at 10pm 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 number of death to eighteen (18).
According to him, a reconciliation committee headed by the local government council officials are working with the security agencies towards addressing the crisis, adding that, “joint Police and military patrols have been deployed to the area to restore peace”.
