14-Year-Old Girl Shot in Nasarawa Farmers’ Attack

A 14-year-old girl has been shot by suspected armed herders who opened fire on farmers in Majelisa village, a community bordering Nasarawa and Plateau states.

The incident occurred at about 6:30 am on Thursday, following reports of gunshots in the community.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, troops of Sector 9, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), responded to a distress call and moved to the scene from their base in Jenta. The troops found the girl, identified as Amina Ya’u, with gunshot wounds.

However, the suspected attackers had fled before the troops arrived.

“Preliminary investigations indicated that a group of armed herders allegedly opened fire on farmers following a disagreement over grazing activities,” the report stated.

The troops evacuated Amina to the General Hospital in Lafia, Nasarawa State, where she received medical attention. Zagazola Makama added that security operatives were engaging Fulani leaders to help identify and locate the fleeing suspects.

Meanwhile, troops have increased patrols and strengthened their presence in the area to prevent further attacks and stop the dispute from escalating.

The incident adds to a series of reported clashes between herders and farming communities in Nigeria’s North-Central region.

For years, disputes over land use and grazing activities have triggered violence between the two groups. These clashes have led to deaths, destruction of farmlands and loss of cattle across several communities.