A COMMUNAL FEUD between Etisheshi and Takowangwa community under Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, following a lingering land dispute which claimed life of Sani Ibrahim, a resident of Takowangwa on Friday’s morning.
Yusuf Wangwa, a resident of the area, told The Explainer that seven persons also sustained bullet wounds during the clash on Friday morning.
“Seven people sustained injury. Jibrin, who we planned for referral to the teaching hospital , was shot on his chest but the bullets were removed and is currently at home”, he said.
A resident named Danlami from Etisheshi was said to have attacked the area with a dane-gun, leading to the death of Sani, who was shot in the head.
He further narrated that a man identified as Nma Lile turned the crisis into a fight, uttering that “Let’s turn this fight to Etisheshi vs Takowangwa.
“The DPO warned them (Etisheshi) to stay away from the land and should not threaten anybody from farming prior to the verdict as the case is still in court”.
The Explainer gathered that the deceased victim, Sani, went to pick his stoned brother during an exchange of stones before he was hit with a bullet to his head. His brother was hit with a stone on his clips, and Sani hurriedly went to pick him up.
According to him, they recently went to our farmland in Rabba and Gudugi axis with cutlasses en masse and chased some labourers in some farms. The issue was reported to the police immediately.
However, The Explainer could not independently verify the number of casualties from Etisheshi and could not speak to them as of press time.
How It All Started
On Friday night, the clash all started between a member of vigilante group and Baba Abu, a resident of Takowangwa when the duo engaged in a minor brawl which involved a Truck and Motorcycle.
Yusuf Wangwa told The Explainer that the feud started between one Gbodo in Efu Abebe under Etisheshi and Baba Abu in Takowangwa area in Mokwa. The two areas had lingering land disputes for over years.
“The clash actually started between Gbodo from Efu Abebe, a member of vigilante group and community police with a resident identified as Baba Abu from my area”, he told The Explainer.
“Baba Abu packed his bike by the road, making it difficult for Gbodo to pass by car. According to the source, Gbodo shouted at Baba Abu to come and take his bike from the road, and Baba Abu shouted in Hausa that ‘Mu da garin Mun’ meaning “we with our Town”, he further explained.
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However, a lingering land dispute between the two area was rekindled after a minor disagreement ensued Gbodo and Abu, leading to serious clashes and exchange of throwing stones at one another.
He said, “They later met at Abu’s shop in Takowangwa and the fight started again but Baba Abu was said to have injured Gbod which the matter was taken to police and was settled.
“There was a disagreement between us before, but this minor fight rekindled the land dispute which claimed the life of Sani with a Dane gun.
Houses Destroyed As Armed Youths Invaded Takowangwa
However, angry youths of the Etisheshi and Takowangwa area started to throw stones at each other, leading to destruction of houses belonging to Takowangwa residents.
According to Wangwa, the fence belonging to Ndadzungi was destroyed during the crisis.
Aliyu Mokwa, another discrete source who spoke to The Explainer said the deceased was shot in his head while attempting to save his brother hit with a stone.
“His junior brother was shot and fell. The elder brother, Sani Ibrahim, returned while they were running, trying to save his junior.
He alleged that Danlami Ndama, who led the attack, shot Sani in the forehead before hundreds of people, adding that two houses and a mosque were destroyed during the invasion.
Mokwa further urged the government to intervene and bring the perpetrators to justice. “We’ve called their attention to intervene and bring the perpetrators into book”, he said.
Wasiu Abiodun, the police spokesman, confirmed the incident to The Explainer, stating that one died and others sustained minor injuries during the communal clash in Mokwa.
His message partly reads, “On 6/3/2025 at about 10.40pm, one Mohammed of Etisheshi area allegedly blocked the way of one Abu of Takowangwa village, both villages under Mokwa LGA. This resulted in a serious argument between them but was later resolved”.
“Until the following morning, on 7/3/2025 at about 7am, a distress call was received from the community and Mokwa Div mobilised patrol teams to the area including other security agencies. It was discovered that youths of both communities were throwing stones at each other, while the security teams were able to restore peace”.
He further stated that few persons sustained minor injuries while Sani Moh’d, aged 35 years of Takowangwa, sustained a gunshot injury from a suspected Dane gun.
“He was taken to a nearby clinic and later referred to FMC Bida, unfortunately, he died on the way. The communities have a lingering issue of land matter which is pending before a court, and the attack is suspected to be associated with the pending land issues”, he added.
Abiodun added that measures have been taken to avoid a reprisal while the investigation is ongoing to arrest the perpetrator(s) of the act.
