Violence between farmers and herders in Paikon-Kore, Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, has reportedly left three herders dead and properties destroyed following a disagreement over farmland.
The incident, which reportedly occurred between October 18 and 19, 2026, began when cattle allegedly entered a groundnut farm before the crops were harvested.
A community resident, Danlami Ibrahim, said the disagreement escalated when a herder allegedly attacked a farmer with a cutlass, cutting off one of his hands. According to Ibrahim, the incident triggered further violence, during which three herders were reportedly killed and property was destroyed.
Another farmer, Ishaku Danjuma, described how disputes over cattle entering farmland and destroying crops had repeatedly caused tension in affected communities. He explained that such incidents create financial difficulties for farmers, particularly when their crops are damaged shortly before harvest.
The latest violence highlights the longstanding challenges facing farming communities in the FCT, where disputes over farmland, grazing routes and access to natural resources have contributed to tensions between farmers and herders.
In an earlier investigation published by the International Centre for Investigative Reporting on March 29, 2023, a farmer identified as Kefas Luka recounted his experience of being attacked while attempting to document cattle grazing on his millet farm in Rimba, an FCT community.
Luka explained that he wanted to record the incident with his mobile phone as evidence, but the herder allegedly attacked him with a cutlass, injuring his hand. His account illustrated the risks farmers may face when attempting to protect their crops from destruction.
In another investigation published by Premium Times on June 30, 2026, Halidu Musa recounted his final telephone conversation with his father, Musa Yatsu, a vigilante commander in Gurfata, Gwagwalada.
According to the report, his father was investigating reports of crop destruction when gunshots erupted. He was subsequently killed. The investigation also documented experiences shared by farmers, herders, community leaders and victims’ families affected by the recurring conflict.
These accounts highlight the human consequences of farmers-herders disputes, including injuries, deaths, destruction of property and loss of livelihoods. They also demonstrate how disagreements over agricultural land can escalate into wider community violence when peaceful resolution fails.
Addressing the crisis requires cooperation between government authorities, security agencies, traditional rulers, farmers and herders. Improved dialogue, effective dispute resolution and enforcement of existing laws could help prevent disagreements from escalating into violence.
Community leaders and security agencies also need to investigate reported attacks, protect residents and ensure that anyone found responsible for criminal acts is held accountable under the law.
Sustained engagement between affected communities remains essential to restoring confidence, protecting agricultural activities and preventing further bloodshed.
The experiences of residents and affected families underscore the urgent need for lasting solutions to farmers-herders disputes in the FCT.
ALSO READ:https://vistaonenews.com/2026/10/19/wife-dies-in-ogun-house-fire-husband-arrested/
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