For decades, Fulani and Kamuku communities in Tashan-Bako area of Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State lived side by side, intermarried, shared farmlands and maintained relationships built over generations.
Today, that peaceful coexistence has been shattered by a communal conflict that has left communities in ruins, hundreds of houses destroyed and many families struggling to recover.
Among those worst affected is Mallam Sani Yerima, who lost 43 members of his family, including his wives, brothers, sisters and grandchildren, in a single attack.
Like many other survivors, he is now trying to rebuild his life after losing almost everything.
Officially, police confirmed 18 deaths in the early days of the violence.
But interviews conducted by DAILY POST suggest the casualty figure could be much higher.
Dr. Abdullahi Ishaq, an ADC chieftain, estimated that more than 200 people were killed, while former Rafi State Constituency lawmaker Mohammed Danladi Bako put the figure at 256.
The Rafi Local Government Council is currently conducting an inventory of those killed and properties destroyed to determine the actual number of casualties and the scale of destruction.
Findings by DAILY POST showed that the violence affected communities under the Tashan-Bako axis.
Residents said it escalated at Anguwan Bawa Maigonjo, about two kilometres from Tashan-Bako, before spreading to Anguwan Boka, Anguwan Saidu, Anguwan Danasabe and other neighbouring settlements.
Reliable sources in the area told DAILY POST that more than 600 houses belonging to both Fulani and Kamuku communities were either burnt or destroyed during the violence.
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