By: Abdullahi InuwaÂ
At least 56 people have reportedly been killed, scores injured and thousands displaced following a fresh wave of violent communal clashes between Fulani and Kamuku communities in Tegina District of Rafi Local Government Area, Niger State.
Residents said the renewed violence has plunged the area into a humanitarian crisis, with entire communities fleeing into nearby bushes to escape the bloodshed.
A resident, Ibrahim Sani, told Reuters that the clashes had left a trail of destruction, claiming that more than 30 people were burnt to death while another 26 reportedly lost their lives in separate attacks, bringing the death toll to at least 56.
“Over 30 people were burnt to ashes, while 26 others reportedly died. Several victims sustained serious injuries, and thousands have fled into the bush as a result of the communal clashes between Fulani and Kamuku communities in Tegina, Rafi Local Government Area,” he said.
The violence has also forced many families to abandon their homes, with residents expressing fears that the humanitarian situation could worsen if urgent intervention is not provided.
Community members alleged that the Kamuku people in Tegina District have been left to face the crisis alone, accusing the federal, state and local governments, as well as traditional institutions, of failing to respond decisively despite the recurring violence.
Another resident, Alhaji Isah Tanko Tegina, said the clashes have persisted since June 24, 2026, without any meaningful intervention from relevant authorities.
“The ugly situation has been recurring since June 24, 2026, without any action from any authority. The clash is taking the lives of innocent citizens day by day, while government and traditional institutions have continued to show insensitivity to the matter,” he lamented.
He appealed to security agencies and all authorities charged with protecting lives and property to urgently intervene before the conflict spirals further out of control.
According to him, immediate deployment of security personnel and conflict-resolution measures are needed to halt the bloodshed and restore peace to the troubled communities.
Alhaji Isah also sympathised with families who lost loved ones and property in the attacks, praying for the speedy recovery of those injured.
The latest violence has heightened concerns over recurring communal conflicts in parts of Niger State, where disputes over land, grazing routes and other local grievances have repeatedly erupted into deadly confrontations.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the Niger State Government or security agencies confirming the casualty figures or outlining measures being taken to contain the crisis.
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