No fewer than 15 persons were burnt to death in a two-bedroom apartment while three others were shot dead at various intervals over land dispute in Niger State.

The incident happened when some yet-to-be identified assailants stormed the house where the 15 people were staying and set it ablaze killing all the occupants.

Eyewitnesses told Arewa PUNCH that the incident happened in the two villages of Mararraban Gwadaro and Tashan Bako, in Rafi Local Government Area of the state where fighting has continued to rage over land dispute.

Our correspondent learnt that trouble started on June 29 at about 11.30 pm at Godoro village, when suspected armed men fired gunshots at 25 years old Ibrahim Musa who died on the spot.

As a result of Musa’s death, a group of aggrieved people who were on a reprisal mission blocked a major road and killed 28 years old Bashir Mazi. The attack was allegedly linked to a lingering land crisis between the two communities in the area.

A source in one of the communities who pleaded anonymity said the clash was between the Fulani and Kamuku people of Rafi Local Government Area.

The source disclosed that since the clash began, no fewer than 10 people had been killed and many houses set ablaze in the community.

The source, who expressed dismay that women and children have been the worst hit among the casualties and called for an urgent intervention from the security agencies and governments at all levels to address the escalating fights.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Rafi Local Government Area, Ayuba Katako confirmed the incident but did not mention the number of casualties affected in the killings.

However, he assured stakeholders that investigations have commenced to unravel those responsible for the act, with a view to punish offenders.

Katako said no responsible government will fold its arms and allow its people to be killed without stamping its 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 spokesman of the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun confirmed the incident on Wednesday, saying investigations were ongoing to identify the perpetrators.

“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.

On Thursday, Abiodun released an update on the crisis where he revealed the killing of the 15 people in the two-bedroom flat.

“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. (The PUNCH)

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