No fewer than 11 people have been confirmed dead, while over 50 houses were destroyed following a renewed violent clash between communities in Nasarawa State.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday in the Udege Development Area of Nasarawa Local Government Area, where residents of Akyawa and Udege Kasa communities engaged in a deadly confrontation over unresolved disputes.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Nasarawa State Command, SP Ramhan Nansel, disclosed in a statement issued in Lafia on Saturday that the violence led to significant loss of lives and property.
According to him, the Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro Mohammed, visited the affected communities on April 3, 2026, to assess the situation and restore calm.
During the visit, the police chief expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, commiserating with families of the victims and assuring residents of the command’s commitment to ensuring justice.
“The attack is believed to be a reprisal following the alleged killing of two individuals,” Nansel stated. “In the course of the violence, 11 persons lost their lives, while about 50 houses were burnt in Akyawa and two houses destroyed in Udege Kasa.”
In response, the Commissioner of Police has ordered an intensive manhunt for those responsible, directing tactical and investigative teams to ensure their swift identification, arrest, and prosecution.
To prevent further breakdown of law and order, security presence has been reinforced in the area, with police operatives working alongside the military and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to maintain peace.
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A stakeholders’ meeting was also convened during the visit, where residents were urged to remain calm, law-abiding, and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information.
The police command further assured that normalcy has been restored, with proactive measures in place to forestall any recurrence of violence.
However, local sources have raised fresh concerns, alleging that the attacks may have been carried out by suspected armed militias believed to be bandits, who reportedly invaded the communities late Thursday night.
The incident is said to be a continuation of earlier violence in nearby Sabon Gida (Gidan Ada Ogiri), where homes, farm produce, and other valuables were destroyed.
Residents lamented that the latest attack occurred less than 48 hours after the previous incident, heightening fear and uncertainty across neighboring communities.
“It is becoming unbearable. People are living in fear and fleeing their homes. No one knows which community may be next,” a distressed resident said.
The affected communities, once known for their thriving mining activities and local economy, have in recent times suffered repeated attacks linked to growing insecurity in the region.
Residents are now calling on the Nasarawa State Government to take urgent action to curb the violence and protect lives, especially as farmers begin preparations for the new planting season amid rising fears of further attacks.
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