Tension has once again engulfed the Rest House community in Kadarko, located in Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, following a deadly attack by suspected Fulani militias.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the attack, which took place late Tuesday night, July 9, 2025, resulted in the death of one resident and injuries to a mobile police officer stationed in the area.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that the gunmen stormed the community around 10:45 p.m., taking advantage of the cover of darkness to open fire indiscriminately. Residents, jolted from sleep by the sound of gunfire, fled in panic to nearby bushes and surrounding villages.
The victim of the attack has been identified as Mr. Nyianshima, a well-known local figure popularly referred to as “Iron Money.” He was reportedly gunned down during the onslaught.
A mobile police officer manning a nearby checkpoint sustained gunshot wounds and is currently undergoing treatment at a medical facility in the area.
Locals say the prompt response from security operatives helped to contain the attackers and prevent further loss of life.
“When the gunshots started, people woke up in fear and ran for their lives,” one resident recalled.
“The security men engaged the attackers, which allowed many residents to escape.”
This latest attack has reignited fears among Tiv communities residing in Kadarko and its surrounding villages such as Dooka, Angwan Yaara, and Dooga.
According to locals, these areas have become repeated targets of reprisal attacks, particularly whenever there are conflicts involving Fulani herdsmen in nearby Benue State.
“This is not new to us. Every time something happens in Benue, they come after us here,” lamented another resident. “Our farms have been taken over, and now our lives are under threat.”
The attack has once again brought to light the vulnerability of Tiv communities in the border areas between Benue and Nasarawa states. Many believe that these communities are being deliberately targeted as part of a larger land-grabbing campaign by armed herders.
In a swift response, a community leader, Mr. Aondohemba, has called on both the state government and federal authorities to act swiftly.
He urged security agencies to increase their presence in the area and ensure the protection of lives and property.
“We cannot continue to live in fear in our own ancestral homes,” he stated. “The government must rise to its responsibility.”
As of the time of filing this report, no official statement has been released by the Nasarawa State Police Command or the state government.
Kadarko and its environs have long served as a flashpoint for communal tension, especially among the Tiv farming population who have repeatedly clashed with migrating herders.
The recent surge in attacks raises fears of more violence as the farming season progresses.
