Fresh violence has once again seized Adamawa State, with the current outbreak resulting in houses being set on fire and people left in dread and uncertainty. The occurrences, which happened in the early hours of Wednesday, July 2, 2025, hit the villages of Lafiya in Lamurde Local Government Area and Boshikiri in Guyuk Local Government Area, both located near the dangerous southern border of the state.
Timeline of the Crisis
According to local sources, the violence erupted unexpectedly, with unidentified attackers assaulting thatched houses and private structures. In Lafiya, the house of Mrs. Ododumga Kenneth was set on fire, while in Boshikiri, Mr. Nura Haruna’s apartment was damaged. The assaults, defined by the Adamawa State Police Command as “mischief by fire,” have become a worrisome yearly event, especially during the agricultural season when conflicts over land and resources normally flare.
Eyewitnesses told scenes of mayhem as inhabitants raced to escape, staring helplessly as flames consumed their houses. The disaster has left families uprooted and calculating their losses, with many now seeking refuge with relatives or in temporary lodgings.
Background and Recurring Tensions
Adamawa State has a long history of community confrontations, frequently founded in disagreements between adjacent groups over property, grazing routes, and historical grudges. The most recent violence follows a history of periodic confrontations, notably between the Waja and Lunguda ethnic groups, whose villages border the impacted regions. Over the previous six years, similar skirmishes have resulted in enormous loss of life and property, with more than 100 deaths and massive devastation of houses and farmlands.
In addition to sectarian disagreements, the area has also seen assaults from rebel groups, exacerbating the instability and making it harder for authorities to keep calm. Local officials and people have frequently advocated for tougher security measures and more effective dispute-resolution processes.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigation
In reaction to the current assaults, the Adamawa State Police Command, headed by Commissioner Dankombo Morris, has initiated a discreet investigation and sent more troops to the affected regions in an attempt to avoid future bloodshed and catch those involved. The police have advised locals to stay calm, cooperate with law authorities, and report any suspicious activity.
Commissioner Morris reiterated that anybody discovered encouraging violence or indulging in illegal conduct would face the full weight of the law. He underlined the commitment of the police to restore order and protect the safety of all people.
Community Impact and Reactions
The aftermath of the conflict has left severe wounds on the afflicted communities. Residents are dealing with the loss of their homes, and livelihoods, and a feeling of security. Many have voiced displeasure with the repeated pattern of violence and the apparent insufficiency of government response.
A neighborhood citizen, commenting on condition of anonymity, complained, “We are tired of living in fear every year. Our houses are devastated, and we have nowhere to go. We need enduring peace, not just promises.”
Community leaders have called for further attempts at dialogue and reconciliation, asking both state and federal authorities to address the core causes of the dispute and give assistance to those impacted.
Broader Context and Calls for Peace
The violence in Adamawa is part of a wider trend of sectarian and insurgent-related disturbance in Nigeria’s Middle Belt area. Despite peace treaties and the efforts of bilateral committees, disputes over land usage, ethnicity, and resource distribution continue to fuel cycles of bloodshed.
In 2022, a peace pact was struck between the warring groups, and a judicial commission of inquiry published recommendations aimed at resolving the underlying causes. However, implementation has been sluggish, and intermittent outbursts of violence occur.
Looking Ahead
As investigations continue and security is reinforced in Lafiya and Boshikiri, the immediate focus is the safety and welfare of evacuated inhabitants. Humanitarian groups and local authorities are being asked to offer relief items and assistance for people who have lost their houses.
The Adamawa State administration, in partnership with security forces and community leaders, confronts the task of not just restoring order but also creating true reconciliation and enduring peace in the area.
For the residents of Lafiya and Boshikiri, the hope is that this new tragedy will catalyze permanent solutions, so that the yearly cycle of violence and devastation may finally come to an end.
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