KEY POINTS

• Armed attacks linked to a land dispute in Niger State left one person dead and several injured.
• Residents accuse suspects of repeated violence and operating freely without arrest.
• Community leaders urge urgent security intervention while maintaining commitment to legal resolution.

A violent clash has erupted in Takowangwa community in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State following allegations of armed incursions linked to a protracted land dispute with the neighbouring Etisheshi community.

Residents claim the disputed land has been in Takowangwa’s possession for over five centuries, but tensions have recently intensified amid attempts to seize control.

According to a situation report signed by youth leader Alhassan Tsadu-Wangwa, armed men allegedly invaded the community on April 22 and 23, 2026, wielding weapons including Dane guns, cutlasses, and clubs.

The attackers were accused of attempting to forcibly take over ancestral land while instilling fear among residents. The incident reportedly left one person dead and several others injured, with graphic images showing victims suffering severe wounds.

Pattern of Violence and Previous Deadly Clash

The report linked the latest attack to a previous violent episode on March 7, 2025, when suspected attackers allegedly launched a similar assault on the community.

During that incident, over a dozen residents sustained gunshot injuries, while one individual identified as Sani Ibrahim was killed, highlighting what locals describe as a recurring pattern of violence.

Community leaders expressed frustration over what they described as a lack of accountability, alleging that key suspects, including an individual named Danlami Ndama, remain at large despite repeated complaints.

They further claimed that the suspects move freely within Mokwa town and openly boast about being beyond the reach of law enforcement.

The disputed land is currently the subject of litigation before the Niger State High Court, with both communities laying claim to ownership.

However, Takowangwa residents accused their rivals of undermining the legal process by resorting to violence rather than awaiting a judicial ruling.

They warned that continued attacks could lead to further loss of life if urgent intervention is not taken.