Fifteen perish in flames, another three lose their lives in violent Niger community dispute

A deadly communal clash in Niger State's Rafi Local Government Area has resulted in the loss of at least 18 lives, with 15 of the victims succumbing to burn injuries after a two-bedroom apartment was set ablaze by assailants, according to reports.

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The tragic incident occurred on Tuesday night in Angwan-Baago, near Godoro village, where the victims were trapped inside the burning building, the Niger State Police Command confirmed.

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A separate attack at another location claimed the life of one more person, bringing the total death toll to 18, as the police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the violence.

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The conflict is believed to have originated from a long-standing land dispute between two communities in the area, which has been simmering for some time.

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The crisis began to unfold on June 29, when suspected armed men shot and killed 25-year-old Ibrahim Musa at Godoro village, an incident that sparked a reprisal attack.

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According to the police, a group of vigilantes known as Yansakai blocked a road and killed 28-year-old Bashir Mazi in the aftermath of Musa's death.

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Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun stated that the attacks were linked to the lingering land dispute, which has been a source of tension between the two communities.

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Abiodun recounted that on June 30, 2026, at around 2 pm, a report was received from the Katako District area of Rafi LGA, indicating that Ibrahim Musa had been fatally shot by suspected armed men at Godoro village the previous night.

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The police spokesperson noted that the killing of Musa led to a reprisal attack, in which a group of Yansakai blocked a road and killed Bashir Mazi, with the incident allegedly linked to the ongoing land crisis between two tribes in the area.

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Abiodun added that an investigation is ongoing to identify the perpetrators of the attacks, while a reconciliation committee headed by local government council officials is working with security agencies to address the crisis and restore normalcy to the area.

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On July 1, 2026, at 10 pm, a report was received indicating that 15 persons had been burnt to death in a two-bedroom flat at Angwan-Baago via Godoro village, while one other person was killed at another location, bringing the total number of deaths to 18.

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A community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the clash involved members of the Fulani and Kamuku communities, with several houses razed and women and children among those worst affected by the violence.

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The Chairman of Rafi Local Government Area, Ayuba Katako, confirmed the crisis but declined to disclose the casualty figure, stating that security operatives had been deployed to restore peace and efforts were underway to identify those responsible.

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Katako emphasized that the government is committed to ending the crisis, saying that no reasonable government would allow its people to be killed without taking action to stamp out the violence.

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According to Abiodun, a reconciliation committee led by local government officials is working with security agencies to resolve the conflict, while joint police and military patrols have been deployed to the affected communities to maintain peace and order.