Niger communal clashes have prompted the Niger State Government to impose an immediate curfew on affected communities in Rafi Local Government Area following renewed violence that has claimed about 80 lives and destroyed property. Governor Umaru Bago also ordered the deployment of additional security personnel and directed community leaders to begin peace-building efforts
Governor Umaru Bago, represented by Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba, announced the curfew during an assessment visit to communities affected by the violence between members of the Kamuku and Fulani communities in Tashar Bako. The governor instructed security agencies to deploy all available operational assets across the affected communities to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
He also directed security operatives to activate the state’s full security architecture while adopting both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to contain the crisis and stop further escalation. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the violence originated from a dispute over farmland and has so far claimed approximately 80 lives.
After inspecting the affected communities and identifying major flashpoints, the governor said preliminary investigations indicated that the violence began following disagreements over farmland ownership and use.
To promote reconciliation, Bago directed the Emir of Kagara, Alhaji Ahmad Garba-Gunna, to establish a Peace and Reconciliation Committee. The committee is expected to facilitate dialogue between the affected communities, rebuild trust among residents and develop long-term solutions capable of preventing future violence. The state government also reaffirmed its commitment to restoring normalcy and preventing a recurrence of the crisis.
As part of measures to calm tensions, the governor appealed to social media users, bloggers and influencers to avoid circulating unverified or inflammatory content capable of worsening the fragile security situation.
He assured residents that the government would continue implementing measures to restore peace while urging the feuding communities to resolve their differences through dialogue. According to Bago, the Kamuku and Fulani communities have coexisted peacefully for generations and should not allow the actions of a few individuals to destroy decades of peaceful relations.
The Emir of Kagara, Alhaji Ahmad Garba-Gunna, commended the Niger State Government and security agencies for their prompt intervention following the outbreak of violence. He appealed to residents to remain calm, cooperate fully with security personnel and support ongoing peace efforts.
The traditional ruler also warned political actors against politicising the crisis, stressing that the violence should not be viewed as an ethnic conflict between the Kamuku and Fulani communities. He expressed sympathy for families affected by the clashes and called on security agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute everyone responsible for the killings and destruction.
During the assessment visit, Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba met with displaced victims from both communities. He visited Kamuku residents taking refuge at Tegina Primary School as well as displaced Fulani families being sheltered at Gimi Primary School.
The state government reiterated its commitment to protecting affected residents, restoring peace and supporting reconciliation efforts as security operations continue across the troubled communities.
