Scores Feared Dead as Suspected Herdsmen Attack Mararaba Community Near Abuja

A violent attack on Aso A, a community near Jumai Estate in Mararaba, has left several people dead and many others injured, according to local sources.

The incident began early Wednesday, with initial reports indicating that at least six people were killed. However, the total number of casualties has not been officially confirmed.

Residents said the violence followed an earlier confrontation between a farmer and a herder, which reportedly resulted in the herder’s death. The farmer involved is said to have fled the area shortly after the incident.

In what witnesses describe as a reprisal, armed men suspected to be herders later moved into the community. They allegedly targeted the home of the fleeing farmer before extending the attack to other residents. Several houses were set on fire, and multiple properties were destroyed.

Attempts by some residents to resist the attackers reportedly worsened the situation, leading to further casualties and damage.

Footage circulating from the scene shows buildings engulfed in flames and victims being evacuated, including one individual transported in a wheelbarrow to a nearby hospital.

Many residents have since fled Aso A, seeking safety in neighbouring areas, including parts of Abuja. The community is reported to be largely deserted.

Security forces, including police and military personnel, have been deployed to the area to contain the situation and prevent further violence.

In a separate incident linked to the unrest, a motorcyclist conveying a police officer to the scene was reportedly ambushed and killed.

Tension remains high in Mararaba, with local leaders warning of potential further attacks amid reports that additional armed groups may be mobilising from nearby areas.

Efforts to obtain an official statement from the Aso A Police Division were unsuccessful, as the Divisional Police Officer declined to comment at the time of reporting.