1 Killed, 31 Houses Razed In FCT Communal Clash

A violent clash between Fulani and Gwari residents in Gurfata Village of Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has left one person dead, scores injured, with many villagers rendered homeless after 31 houses were set ablaze.

The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, reportedly stemmed from a dispute over access to a farmland path between a Fulani man, Shaibu Adamu, and a Gwari farmer identified as Sa’adu.

Security analyst, Zagazola Makama, provided details of the clash in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.

According to Makama, the conflict began when Adamu attempted to pass through Sa’adu’s farmland, but the farmer refused, insisting he should take an alternative route.

Makama said the disagreement between both men escalated into a physical altercation.

“Things quickly got worse when Shaibu’s elder brother, Adamu Ibrahim, allegedly attacked a Gwari resident, Dahiru Yakubu, with a machete.

“Yakubu was rushed to the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, where he later died,” Makama stated.

He stated that the news of Yakubu’s death sparked a reprisal attack by enraged Gwari youths, who stormed the Fulani settlement in the village, burning down 31 houses and injuring at least three people.

Soldiers were later deployed alongside other security personnel to the area to quell the violence and restore order.

“Authorities have appealed for peace and urged both communities to exercise restraint. Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to mediate between the groups and prevent further escalation.”

He added that normalcy had returned to the village as of Wednesday although tensions remain high.