No fewer than 18 people have been killed in a fresh outbreak of communal violence in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, with 15 victims reportedly burnt alive after attackers set a residential building on fire.
The latest attack occurred late Tuesday at Angwan-Baago, near Godoro village, where assailants allegedly locked victims inside a two-bedroom apartment before setting it ablaze.
The Niger State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying another person was killed elsewhere during the violence, bringing the death toll from the renewed crisis to 18.
Police linked the attacks to a longstanding land dispute between two communities in the area.
According to the command, the violence began on June 29 when suspected gunmen shot and killed Ibrahim Musa, 25, in Godoro village.
The killing reportedly sparked a reprisal attack in which members of a local vigilante group, popularly known as Yansakai, allegedly blocked a road and killed Bashir Mazi, 28.
Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun said investigations were ongoing to identify those responsible for the attacks.
He said the latest assault occurred around 10 p.m. on Tuesday when 15 people were burnt to death inside a two-bedroom apartment, while another victim was killed at a different location.
Abiodun added that a reconciliation committee led by officials of the Rafi Local Government Area was working alongside security agencies to de-escalate the conflict.
He said joint police and military patrols had been deployed to the affected communities to restore peace and prevent further violence.
A community source, who requested anonymity for security reasons, alleged that the clash involved members of the Fulani and Kamuku communities.
The source claimed several homes were destroyed during the attacks, with women and children among those most severely affected.
Chairman of Rafi Local Government Area, Ayuba Katako, confirmed the crisis but declined to give an official casualty figure.
He said security personnel had been deployed to contain the violence and that efforts were underway to identify and apprehend those responsible.
“No responsible government will stand by and allow its citizens to be killed without taking action to restore peace,” he said.
Authorities said security operatives remain on the ground as mediation efforts continue to prevent further escalation of the communal dispute.
