Former Sole Administrator Among Five Killed in Deadly Morai Attack Linked to Alleged Land Sale Conflict
By: Zagazola Makama
The Morai community was besieged by a terrorist group, terrorizing residents for over three continuous hours, from 1:00 am until 3:25 am on April 15, 2025.
Among the five individuals killed during this brutal attack was Hon. Saminu Morai, the former Sole Administrator of Talata-Mafara Local Government Area (LGA) in Zamfara state. Also among the deceased was his former councilor, Alhaji Akilu Liman, who lost his life during the assault.
Intelligence sources informed Zagazola Makama that the attack was executed by an armed gang originating from Bayan Ruwa, a known terrorist stronghold in Maradun LGA.
The assailants, identified as bandits, are believed to have been invited to the village by the Jandutsi Fulanis community. This invitation was allegedly in response to claims that the Chairman of Talata-Mafara LGA had illegally allocated grazing land in the Jandutsi forest to Hausa farmers, intensifying tensions between local communities.
Reports indicate that the controversial demarcation of the Jandutsi grazing land into farmland was sold at ₦50,000 per plot to the Hausa community, leading to accusations of corruption and land misallocation. This incident has heightened existing tensions between Fulani herders and Hausa farmers in the region, with the Jandutsi community reportedly seeking revenge for the alleged land sale, which they claim deprived them of vital grazing grounds.
The attack has ignited widespread outrage, prompting a call for an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the land sale and the subsequent violent retaliation.
Many view this incident as emblematic of the larger crisis of land disputes and corruption that continues to fuel conflict in the northwest, with politicians and their associates accused of exploiting vulnerable communities for personal gain.
Efforts are currently underway to apprehend the attackers, with joint security forces conducting operations in the area to restore peace and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The bodies of the victims have been recovered and buried according to Islamic rites.
