FCT Farmer-Herder Clash: Gwagwalada Council Chair Restricts Movement

The Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has imposed a temporary movement restriction and deployed additional security personnel to Paikon-Kore following a renewed farmers-herders clash that reportedly left three people dead and several others injured.

The violence, which began on Saturday afternoon and continued until Sunday morning, also led to the burning of two houses, several shops and a motorcycle, while goods were destroyed at the village market.

The council chairman, Hon. Kasim Mohammed, who announced the measures, said they were aimed at containing the crisis and preventing further escalation.

He appealed to farmers and Fulani herders to exercise restraint, forgive one another and embrace peaceful coexistence.

Mohammed particularly urged youths in Paikon-Kore to shun retaliation and avoid actions that could worsen the situation, warning that violence could undermine the community’s peace, reputation and development.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the clash began after some herders allegedly allowed their cattle into a groundnut farm whose crops were yet to be harvested.

He said the farm owner confronted the herders, leading to a heated argument. According to him, one of the herders allegedly attacked the farmer with a cutlass, severing one of his hands.

The resident said news of the farmer’s injury angered locals and triggered a reprisal that reportedly left three herders dead.

He added that two houses, several shops and a motorcycle were set ablaze, while several people sustained injuries. Some of the injured were taken to hospitals in Gwagwalada for treatment, he said.

Against this backdrop, Mohammed urged farmers whose crops were damaged by cattle to report such incidents to security agencies rather than resort to self-help.

He said disputes of this nature often affected innocent residents who might have no knowledge of the circumstances that triggered the conflict.

The chairman disclosed that an expanded security meeting had been convened with youth leaders, the Sarkin Noma and other community leaders from both sides to deliberate on the crisis and seek a lasting solution.

He urged residents to cooperate with security personnel deployed to the area, assuring them that the council was taking steps to restore normalcy.

Mohammed also asked anyone who felt unfairly treated or believed their grievances had not received adequate attention to approach him directly for intervention.

He stressed that grievances should be addressed through lawful channels rather than confrontation or vengeance.

While commiserating with both communities, the chairman acknowledged grievances on both sides and urged them to learn from the crisis and prioritise peace.

He maintained that dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation with security agencies remained essential to resolving the dispute and restoring lasting peace to Paikon-Kore and neighbouring communities.