Tensions escalated over the weekend in Dakwa town, a community at the heart of a long-standing territorial dispute between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Niger State, leaving one person dead and several others injured.
The latest violence reportedly stemmed from a renewed disagreement over land ownership in the area, which has seen rival claims from Bwari Area Council in the FCT and Tafa Local Government Area in Niger State for over 30 years. The dispute intensified following a recent visit by officials from the National Boundary Commission aiming to clarify the demarcation line.
During the unrest, a resident identified as Yusuf Ahmad lost his life, while at least three others were wounded by gunfire. Locals allege that the police opened fire when a crowd gathered near the palace of the Dakwa chief aligned with the FCT. The injured victims are currently receiving treatment in a local hospital.
There are two traditional leaders in Dakwa—one loyal to Bwari and the other to Tafa LGA—highlighting the community’s deep divisions. The National Boundary Commission had reportedly confirmed that the boundary lies near Zuma Rock along the Abuja–Kaduna Expressway, not in Dakwa itself. This declaration was rejected by some Niger State stakeholders.
A traditional titleholder loyal to Niger State, Muhammad Babangida Aliyu, contested the commission’s findings, asserting the actual boundary is closer to a river near Dei-Dei, extending toward Zuba on the FCT side and Garam and New Bwari on the Niger side.
According to reports, Niger State Governor Umar Bago, disturbed by the boundary commission’s assertions, dispatched officials to the Zuma Rock area to dismantle boundary beacons. The governor himself allegedly visited the area and later instructed the police to summon local leaders.
Eyewitnesses claim that tensions flared when the Suleja Area Commander attempted to invite the FCT-aligned chief for questioning. Protesters gathered at the palace, leading to a confrontation that allegedly ended with police firing shots, resulting in casualties.
The chief, Malam Musa Alhassan Baba Chukuri, confirmed that he was invited by police but declined to go without informing Bwari Council authorities. He also claimed that the beacon placed by federal officials was destroyed during the governor’s visit.
However, the Niger State Police Command has denied responsibility for the shooting. In a statement, spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun said police had merely attempted to invite the village leaders regarding allegations of incitement and conspiracy. He stated that while there was a large crowd, the officers left peacefully and were not involved in any violence.
Abiodun added that there were later reports of gunfire and a fatality, but insisted there had been no direct confrontation between police and residents at the time. He confirmed that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
The border conflict between the FCT and Niger State remains unresolved, with this latest clash highlighting the urgent need for a definitive resolution to prevent further bloodshed in the disputed region.
