Fresh violence has erupted in Muye village of Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State following a protracted chieftaincy dispute that has pitted supporters of rival traditional authorities against each other.
The unrest began around 6:20 p.m. on Thursday when the ousted village head, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulkadir Maigari II, reportedly returned to the community and forcefully entered the palace, reigniting long-standing tensions in the area.
Escalating Tensions and Security Response
According to security expert Zagazola Makama, hostilities immediately flared between supporters of the ousted leader and those loyal to the incumbent traditional ruler, the Dakachi of Muye. Security agencies in Lapai swiftly intervened to restore temporary calm.
However, the peace was short-lived. By Friday morning, violence erupted again as rival factions engaged in a free-for-all fight, disrupting public peace and raising fears of a more widespread conflict.
"Additional operatives were deployed to the village by security sources in an effort to contain the crisis and prevent a full-blown conflict," a source revealed. "The combined security teams have brought the situation under control. Monitoring and surveillance operations are ongoing to prevent further breakdown of law and order."
As of the time of this report, there has been no official confirmation of casualties or arrests, and authorities have yet to release a formal statement on the matter.
The chieftaincy dispute in Muye village represents one of several traditional leadership conflicts that have occasionally sparked violence in various parts of Niger State in recent years.
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