Eight feared dead as lawmaker’s gift sparks violence in Niger

Tegina ethnic clash leaves eight dead in Niger State as violence erupts between Fulani herders and vigilante members

At least eight people have been killed following a deadly ethnic clash between Fulani herders and members of the Kamaku community in Tegina, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, after tensions linked to the killing of a community leader spiralled into violence.

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The attacks, which residents said began on Friday at the Tegina weekly market, reportedly involved machete-wielding herders targeting members of the local vigilante group over the death of Muhammed Shehu, a prominent Fulani leader in the area.

Residents alleged that the violence erupted days after Senator Sani Musa, who represents Niger East Senatorial District, donated ₦10 million to the Fulani community through Shehu for distribution among beneficiaries.

According to locals, suspicion grew within the Fulani community after Shehu’s body was allegedly discovered near a vigilante office dominated by members of the Kamaku ethnic group.

A resident, Garba AP, said the situation quickly descended into a brutal cycle of reprisals.

“On Friday, Fulani herders invaded the local market, attacking vigilantes and disrupting trading. Eight bodies from both sides have been buried,” the resident said.

Garba AP further alleged that members of the Fulani community began attacking individuals of Kamaku extraction after concluding that Shehu had been killed over the money meant for distribution.

Security operatives later imposed a curfew on the town while soldiers and police personnel were deployed to contain the violence.

Despite the intervention, residents said sporadic clashes continued around the outskirts of Tegina on Saturday after restrictions were partially relaxed.

Senator Sani Musa did not respond to calls or messages seeking comments on the development at the time of filing this report.

The spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the Tegina ethnic clash and the death toll in a statement issued on Sunday.

“There was a reported clash between some Fulani persons and vigilante men in Tegina over a suspected homicide of one Mohammed Shehu of Gimi village, and his motorcycle was taken away,” Abiodun said.

“Unfortunately, about eight people lost their lives as a result of the clash. After police and military personnel were deployed to the area, normalcy was restored, and efforts to arrest perpetrators are ongoing.”

The latest violence has renewed concerns over the fragile security situation in Tegina and surrounding communities, which have repeatedly suffered attacks linked to banditry, kidnappings and communal unrest.

Tegina became nationally known in 2021 after the mass abduction of 136 pupils from Salihu Tanko Islamiyya School by armed bandits.

Earlier that year, gunmen also abducted 27 students from Government Science College in nearby Kagara.

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Residents said years of insecurity, cattle rustling and repeated kidnappings have strained long-standing relationships between farming and herding communities, creating deep mistrust capable of igniting deadly confrontations.

Victory Emmanuel