11 Killed, 50 Houses Razed as Fresh Communal Clashes Rock Nasarawa
No fewer than 11 persons have been killed and about 50 houses set ablaze following renewed communal clashes between residents of Akyawa and Udege Kasa communities in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The violence, which erupted in the early hours of Friday, has heightened tension across the Udege Development Area, with residents fleeing their homes amid fears of further attacks.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Nasarawa State Command, SP Ramhan Nansel, said the crisis was triggered by a reprisal attack over the alleged killing of two individuals.
According to him, the Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro Mohammed, visited the affected communities on April 3 to assess the situation and restore calm.
“The incident involved hoodlums suspected to have carried out a reprisal attack. In the course of the violence, 11 persons were killed, while about 50 houses were burnt in Akyawa and two houses in Udege Kasa,” Nansel said.
He added that the police commissioner expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and destruction of property, while assuring residents that efforts were underway to bring perpetrators to justice.
“The CP has ordered an intensive manhunt for all those involved in the heinous act and directed tactical teams to ensure their prompt arrest and prosecution,” he stated.
To prevent further breakdown of law and order, the command said additional security personnel had been deployed to the area in collaboration with the military and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
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Nansel also disclosed that a stakeholders’ meeting was convened during the visit, where community leaders were urged to maintain peace and support security agencies with credible intelligence.
“The Command reassures the public that normalcy has been restored, and proactive measures are in place to forestall any recurrence,” he added.
However, local sources painted a more troubling picture, alleging that the attack may be linked to suspected armed groups believed to have carried out coordinated assaults on the communities.
Residents said the latest violence followed a similar attack in nearby Sabon Gida (Gidan Ada Ogiri), where houses and farm produce were destroyed less than 48 hours earlier.
According to community members, the attackers had been sighted moving around neighbouring settlements prior to the incident, raising concerns over what they described as delayed security response.
“It is becoming unbearable. They abduct at will and now invade entire communities unchecked. People are living in fear and fleeing their homes,” a resident said.
Findings indicate that the affected communities, once known for thriving mining activities and a vibrant local economy, have in recent years come under repeated attacks, forcing many residents to abandon their homes and livelihoods.
With the farming season already underway, locals say the renewed violence poses a serious threat to agricultural activities and food security in the area.
Residents have therefore called on the Nasarawa State Government to take urgent and decisive action to halt the cycle of violence and restore lasting peace to the troubled communities.
By PRNigeria
