Violence in Nasarawa State Claims Three Lives, Sparks Community Tensions
Maraba Gurku, Nasarawa State – A dispute between a mobile police officer and a herder escalated into a violent clash on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and leaving several others injured. The incident, which occurred around 9 a.m. In the Aso A area of the community, has prompted a security response from local authorities.
Initial Dispute and Escalation
According to reports, the conflict began when a herder allegedly entered the premises of a mobile police officer and began cutting down a mango tree to feed his cattle. A confrontation ensued, during which the officer reportedly shot and killed the herder.
Following the shooting, associates of the deceased herder mobilized approximately 50 individuals and retaliated by setting the officer’s residence on fire. During the ensuing unrest, a neighbor who arrived at the scene was also shot and killed.
“We started hearing shouts and gunshots in the neighborhood,” a local resident told PREMIUM TIMES, requesting anonymity. “We rushed out and discovered that a group of herders had invaded the mobile policeman’s residence.”
Police Response and Investigation
The Police Public Relations Officer for the Nasarawa Command, Ramhan Nansel, confirmed the incident to PREMIUM TIMES. Initial reports from the police indicated that a vigilante member, not the officer, fired the shot that killed the herder. The vigilante member has been taken into custody.
“The fact of the case is that information was received regarding a corpse of a Fulani man lying somewhere,” Mr. Nansel stated. “Investigations revealed that an attempt was made to cut down a mango tree, and a vigilante member fired the shot that killed the individual.”
Further casualties occurred when military reinforcements arrived and engaged with the herders, resulting in two additional fatalities. The deceased have been identified and their families have been contacted. Authorities are currently mediating with the community to prevent further reprisal attacks.
“When reinforcement came from the military, there were further casualties. There was an encounter between the soldiers and the herders where two more people were fatally injured. They were rushed to the hospital where they were confirmed dead,” Mr. Nansel added.
Security Measures and Ongoing Investigation
The Commissioner of Police has deployed additional security personnel to the area to restore order. According to police reports, normalcy has been restored to the community, and a full investigation is underway.
“He said the commissioner of police had deployed additional security to the area, adding that normalcy has been restored to the community while investigation was ongoing.”
Access to Local DPO Numbers
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nasarawa State Command, has released the phone numbers of Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in the state to facilitate communication and reporting. More information can be found on Nasarawa Mirror’s Facebook page.