Aso A, a community near Jumai Estate in Mararaba—located along the boundary between Abuja and Nasarawa State—has been thrown into chaos following a violent attack by suspected herdsmen that left several residents dead and many others injured.
The incident, which began in the early hours of Wednesday, has reportedly claimed no fewer than six lives, although the exact number of casualties remains unconfirmed at the time of reporting.
According to sources, the violence was triggered by an earlier altercation between a farmer and a herder, which allegedly resulted in the death of the herder. The farmer involved is said to have fled the community shortly after the incident.
In what appears to be a retaliatory assault, armed men suspected to be herdsmen reportedly invaded the residence of the fleeing farmer, launching indiscriminate attacks on residents and setting multiple houses ablaze. The situation escalated further when some community members attempted to resist the attackers, leading to additional casualties and widespread destruction of property.
A video circulating online shows several buildings engulfed in flames, while the body of one victim was seen being transported in a wheelbarrow to a nearby medical facility.
A resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the community has been largely deserted, with many inhabitants fleeing to neighbouring areas within the Federal Capital Territory and other safer locations.
Security operatives, including a joint team of police and military personnel, have since been deployed to the area in an effort to restore calm and prevent further violence.
In a related development, a motorcyclist conveying a police officer to the scene was reportedly ambushed and killed by the attackers.
Tension remains high in Mararaba, with reports suggesting that additional armed herdsmen may be mobilising from nearby Keffi for possible reprisal attacks.
Efforts to obtain an official statement from the Aso A Police Division were unsuccessful, as the Divisional Police Officer declined to comment on the situation.
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