MINNA — The Niger State Government has imposed a curfew on some communities in Rafi Local Government Area following renewed communal clashes that have claimed dozens of lives and destroyed property.
Governor Umaru Bago announced the measure during a visit to communities affected by the violent conflict between members of the Kamuku and Fulani communities in Tashar Bako.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Yakubu Garba, directed security agencies to deploy all available personnel and assets to the affected areas to restore peace and prevent any further breakdown of law and order.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the violence, which reportedly stemmed from a dispute over farmland, has claimed about 80 lives.
Bago ordered security agencies to activate all existing security architecture across the affected communities and adopt both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to contain the crisis and prevent its escalation.
After inspecting the affected communities and identifying major flashpoints, the governor said preliminary findings indicated that the conflict originated from disagreements over farmland ownership and use.
As part of efforts to restore lasting peace, he directed the Emir of Kagara, Alhaji Ahmad Garba-Gunna, to constitute a Peace and Reconciliation Committee to facilitate dialogue, rebuild trust and foster peaceful coexistence among the affected communities.
The governor also appealed to social media users and influencers to refrain from circulating inflammatory or unverified information capable of aggravating the security situation.
He assured residents that the state government would take decisive measures to prevent a recurrence of the violence and urged the warring communities to embrace peace.
According to him, both communities have coexisted peacefully for generations and should not allow the actions of a few individuals to destroy their long-standing relationship.
Speaking during the visit, the Emir of Kagara, Alhaji Ahmad Garba-Gunna, commended the state government and security agencies for their swift response to the crisis.
He urged residents to remain calm, cooperate with security personnel and resist attempts by politicians to politicise the conflict.
The traditional ruler stressed that the violence should not be viewed as an ethnic conflict between the Kamuku and Fulani communities.
He also sympathised with victims and called on security agencies to ensure that those responsible for the attacks were identified, arrested and prosecuted.
During the visit, the deputy governor also visited displaced Kamuku residents taking refuge at Tegina Primary School, as well as Fulani victims who are being sheltered at Gimi Primary School.