MINNA, NIGERIA: Police in Niger State have arrested four men in connection with the alleged killing of a village head in Munya Local Government Area, bringing investigators closer to uncovering the circumstances behind the fatal attack.

The victim, identified as 53-year-old Bawa Barde, was the village head of Zhilu in the Fuka District. Police said he was attacked at his residence during the early hours of August 23 and suffered serious machete injuries.

Officers were alerted several hours later following a distress call concerning an attack in the community. When police personnel arrived, they reportedly found Barde critically injured in the backyard of his residence. He was taken to a medical facility but was pronounced dead.

Following the killing, investigators launched an inquiry aimed at identifying those responsible and establishing a possible motive. Four suspects were subsequently taken into custody between August 25 and August 28.

The suspects have been identified as Zegi Dogari, 48, Danjuma Galadima, 50, Bashir Umar, 32, and John Doma, 35. Police said the men are residents of the Munya area and that some of them had family connections to the deceased.

Investigators believe tensions surrounding a local dispute may have contributed to the attack. Police said Barde had intervened in a disagreement involving Umar, who was reportedly his cousin.

One issue under investigation involves a disagreement over access to a grazing route through farmland. Authorities said Barde had instructed Umar to allow a route through his property, a decision that allegedly contributed to tensions between the two men.

Investigators are also examining another dispute involving Dogari, a herbalist who was allegedly accused of having an affair with the village head’s wife. Police said the allegation created further friction and became part of the circumstances surrounding the case.

Authorities allege that the different disputes eventually resulted in a conspiracy to attack the village head at his home.

The suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna as investigators continue gathering evidence. Police are expected to question the suspects further and examine witness accounts before the case proceeds through the courts.

The incident has raised concern within the community because of the alleged involvement of people known to the victim. Investigators are therefore examining personal relationships, previous disagreements and other circumstances that may help establish how the attack was planned and carried out.

Police have said the suspects will face legal proceedings over the alleged killing. However, the allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial determination.

Authorities are also continuing wider security operations in Niger State, where rural communities have faced various security challenges. Local officials have repeatedly emphasized the importance of resolving community disputes before they escalate into serious violence.

For investigators, establishing the precise sequence of events surrounding Barde’s death will be central to the case. Evidence collected from the residence, witness statements and information obtained during questioning could help determine the individual roles of those arrested.

The investigation remains ongoing as police work to establish the full circumstances behind the village head’s death and prepare the case for further legal action.