14-Year-Old Girl Shot as Suspected Armed Herders Attack Farmers in Nasarawa-Plateau Border Community

A 14-year-old girl, identified as Amina Ya’u, has sustained gunshot injuries after suspected armed herders reportedly opened fire on farmers in Majelisa village, a community along the border between Nasarawa and Plateau states.

The incident occurred at about 6:30am on November 5, following reports of sporadic gunshots in the area.

Security sources disclosed the attack to counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, saying troops of Sector 9, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), deployed at Jenta, responded to a distress call and rushed to the community.

On arrival, the troops reportedly found Amina with gunshot wounds, while the suspected attackers had fled before their arrival.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the shooting followed a disagreement between farmers and a group of armed herders over grazing activities.

“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 the injured teenager to General Hospital, Lafia, in Nasarawa State, where she was taken for medical attention.

Zagazola Makama also reported that security operatives were engaging Fulani leaders to help identify and locate the fleeing suspects.

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

The incident adds to ongoing security concerns in Nigeria’s North-Central region, where disputes involving farming and herding communities have repeatedly been linked to violence, deaths, damage to farmland and livestock losses.