14-Year-Old Girl Shot As Armed Herders Clash With Farmers In Plateau-Nasarawa Border Community

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

The incident, which occurred at about 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 5, has heightened security concerns in the border community, with troops deployed to the area in response to reports of gunfire.

Security sources told security analyst Zagazola Makama that troops of Sector 9, Operation Enduring Peace, stationed at Jenta, were alerted to sporadic shooting in the community and immediately mobilised to the scene.

On arrival, the soldiers 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.

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

Efforts are reportedly underway to identify and apprehend the fleeing suspects, with security personnel engaging Fulani community leaders to assist in establishing their identities and whereabouts.

Meanwhile, troops have intensified patrols and reinforced their presence around Majelisa and neighbouring communities to forestall further attacks and prevent the dispute from escalating into wider violence.

The latest incident adds to growing security concerns in communities around the Plateau-Nasarawa border, where disputes involving farmers and herders have continued to pose threats to rural livelihoods, civilian safety and peaceful coexistence.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the extent of the victim’s injuries and whether other persons were affected, were not immediately established.