At least 10 people were injured in a violent clash between residents of Chirif Magaji and Chirif Dikko communities in Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State over a disputed farmland, with the incident escalating on Tuesday despite a previously agreed peace deal. The conflict, which has simmered for nearly three years, flared up when members of one community attempted to clear the land and were allegedly ambushed by rivals armed with Dane guns and machetes. Security sources confirmed that the violence led to six injuries during the initial attack, prompting a retaliatory assault that left four more people hurt.
The dispute centers on who has the legal right to farm the contested land, a matter that local authorities had previously mediated and resolved with a shared-use agreement. However, tensions resurfaced when one group moved to cultivate the land, triggering the violent confrontation. A security official told Daily Trust that they received a distress call early Tuesday and swiftly deployed personnel to restore calm. “The attackers opened fire, injuring six people. Upon learning of the incident, members of the affected community mobilised and launched a reprisal attack, during which four people from the opposing community were injured,” the source stated.
All injured victims were rushed to hospitals for treatment. Some received care at the General Hospital in Rabah, while those with more severe injuries, including gunshot wounds and machete cuts, were referred to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital. The security source dismissed social media claims that the incident was a bandit attack, emphasizing that it was rooted in the long-standing land dispute between the two communities. No fatalities were recorded at the time of reporting, but the situation remains fragile.
Rabah Local Government Chairman Yusuf Muhammad Rabah confirmed the incident and stated that the situation had been brought under control. “It is true that the incident occurred, but we have been able to calm the situation,” he said. Meanwhile, DSP Ahmad Rufai, spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, indicated he had not yet received a formal briefing on the matter. The incident underscores the persistent challenges of land conflicts in northern Nigeria, where disputes often lead to violence despite efforts at mediation. Authorities are now under pressure to ensure lasting peace and prevent further escalation in the region.
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