At least two individuals were reportedly killed on Wednesday in an attack by suspected herders on local farmers in the Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
A resident, who spoke with SaharaReporters, confirmed the deaths, stating, “Two people were killed.”
Earlier that day, a concerned resident of the area, Sani Usman Zakariyya, raised alarm over the recurring violence affecting several communities within the council. In an open letter, Zakariyya expressed frustration over what he described as persistent assaults in rural areas such as Paiko, Ibwa, Dobi, and surrounding wards.
He criticized the authorities for failing to adequately protect the local population, arguing that the attacks had escalated and the situation had become intolerable.
“As someone who has lived in Gwagwalada Area Council for many years, I have witnessed numerous brutal attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen,” Zakariyya wrote. “Indigenous farmers have been killed on their farmlands and in their homes—places that are their ancestral lands.”
He noted that violent incidents have notably increased in rural parts of the council, especially in Paiko, Ibwa, and Dobi. Residents, according to him, now live in constant fear, with no tangible action taken to curb the violence.
Zakariyya alleged that many political leaders had abandoned their communities, prioritizing personal interests over public safety. He claimed this had left the local population vulnerable and voiceless.
Calling for swift intervention, he urged the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to initiate an impartial investigation into the recurring attacks and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
“This violence cannot be allowed to continue under any guise. The lives of our people must be protected and valued above any political or personal ambition,” he added.
Zakariyya also appealed for increased security in the affected areas and justice for victims and their families.
