In the early hours of Monday, April 15, 2025, suspected bandits attacked Morai community in Talata-Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The attack lasted over three hours, from 1:00 am to 3:25 am, causing fear and destruction.

Among those k!lled was Hon. Saminu Suleiman Morai, the former Sole Administrator of Talata-Mafara LGA. His former councilor, Alhaji Akilu Liman, and three others also lost their lives in the attack. Several of Morai’s family members were kidnapped by the attackers.

According to reports, the armed group came from Bayan Ruwa, a place in Maradun LGA known for terrorist activities. Intelligence sources suggest the attack was planned with help from the Jandutsi Fulani community. This was allegedly in response to a land dispute where grazing land in Jandutsi forest was sold to Hausa farmers for N50,000 per plot.

The Fulani community reportedly felt cheated and claimed the land sale took away important grazing space. This led to rising tensions and eventually, the deadly attack.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama explained that the land conflict is part of a bigger problem in the northwest. Local leaders are being accused of selling public land for personal gain, increasing violence between different communities.

The incident has caused outrage across the region, with many demanding a full investigation into the land sale and those involved in the attack. Security forces are now working to find and arrest the bandits.

The bodies of the victims have been buried according to Islamic customs. The community continues to mourn their loss while hoping for justice and peace.