Residents of communities around Mararaba–Masaka axis in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State were thrown into panic on Wednesday morning following a reported attack by suspected armed bandits who stormed a settlement near a primary school, burning homes and assaulting locals.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the attackers, described by locals as Fulani bandits, invaded the area in the early hours, shooting sporadically and setting several houses on fire. The affected settlement lies within the densely populated outskirts of Abuja, particularly around Mararaba and Masaka—a rapidly expanding urban corridor bordering the Federal Capital Territory.
Residents said the assailants targeted homes close to a primary school, forcing families to flee for safety as flames engulfed buildings. While the exact number of casualties remains unclear as of press time, multiple sources confirmed that properties were destroyed and several persons sustained injuries in the chaos.
The Mararaba–Masaka axis is known for its high population density due to its proximity to Abuja, making it a frequent destination for commuters and low-income residents seeking affordable housing outside the capital . The area has, however, increasingly witnessed security concerns linked to banditry and armed herders operating across north-central Nigeria.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the Nigeria Police Force or the Nasarawa State Government confirming the incident or providing casualty figures. Security agencies are yet to clarify whether the attack was part of a broader pattern of coordinated assaults in the region.
Nigeria’s north-central zone, including Nasarawa, has in recent years experienced repeated attacks by armed groups often referred to as bandits, criminal gangs known for village raids, killings, and destruction of property .
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Residents are calling for urgent security intervention to prevent further attacks, warning that the proximity of such violence to the nation’s capital raises fresh concerns about safety in surrounding communities.
Authorities are expected to respond as investigations into the incident unfold.
