Tensions in Abuja border town as gunmen kill residents, burn homes

Panic and devastation have gripped Aso A, a community near Jumai Estate in Mararaba, a border area between the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State, following a deadly attack by suspected herdsmen that has left several people feared dead and many others injured.

The violence, which reportedly began on Wednesday morning, has claimed no fewer than six lives, although the exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed as of the time of filing this report.

Sources within the community said the attack was triggered by an earlier altercation between a farmer and a herder, which allegedly resulted in the death of the herder. The farmer involved in the incident was said to have fled the area shortly after.

In what residents described as a retaliatory assault, armed men suspected to be herdsmen reportedly stormed the residence of the fleeing farmer, attacking residents indiscriminately and setting several houses ablaze.

The situation quickly escalated when some community members attempted to resist the attackers, leading to further casualties and widespread destruction of property.

Eyewitness footage circulating online showed multiple homes engulfed in flames, while one of the victims was seen being transported in a wheelbarrow to a nearby medical facility.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said the community has been largely deserted, with many residents fleeing to safer areas in Abuja and neighbouring communities.

“As we speak, people have abandoned their homes. Everyone is running for safety because no one knows what will happen next,” the source said.

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Security agencies have since responded to the crisis, with a joint team of police and military personnel deployed to the area to restore order and prevent further violence.

However, the situation remains tense. Reports indicate that a motorcyclist conveying a police officer to the scene was ambushed and killed by the attackers, underscoring the volatile nature of the conflict.

A community leader also raised concerns over intelligence suggesting that more armed herdsmen may have been mobilised from Keffi for possible reprisal attacks, heightening fears among residents.

Efforts to obtain an official statement from the police authorities proved unsuccessful, as the Divisional Police Officer of the Aso A Police Division declined to comment on the incident.

The attack adds to growing concerns over recurring clashes between farmers and herders in parts of the country, particularly in border communities where tensions over land use and grazing rights often escalate into violence.