11 killed, 50 houses razed in Nasarawa community clash

No fewer than 11 persons have been killed and about 50 houses set ablaze following renewed violence between two communities in Nasarawa State.

The Nasarawa State Police Command confirmed that the incident occurred in the early hours of Friday in Akyawa and Udege Kasa communities, both located in the Udege Development Area of Nasarawa Local Government Area.

In a statement issued in Lafia on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, said the Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro Mohammed, visited the affected communities on April 3, 2026, to assess the situation and restore calm.

Nansel said the CP expressed deep sadness over the tragic incident, which claimed 11 lives and left dozens of homes destroyed by fire.

According to the police spokesperson, the violence was allegedly triggered by a reprisal attack linked to the earlier killing of two persons from one of the communities.

He said, “The incident, which occurred in the early hours of the same day, involved hoodlums suspected to have carried out a reprisal attack over the alleged killing of two of their kinsmen.

“In the course of the attack, 11 persons were killed, while about 50 houses were burnt in Akyawa and two houses in Udege Kasa.”

The command said the Commissioner of Police has ordered an intensive manhunt for those responsible, directing tactical teams and investigators to ensure their swift identification, arrest and prosecution.

To prevent further violence, the police also reinforced security presence in the affected communities in collaboration with the military and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

Nansel added that a stakeholders’ meeting was held during the CP’s visit, where residents were urged to remain calm, obey the law and support security agencies with useful information.

He assured the public that normalcy had been restored, with proactive measures already in place to forestall a recurrence.

Meanwhile, local sources claimed the violence may have been linked to suspected Fulani militias believed to be bandits, who reportedly attacked Akyawa and Udege Kasa late Thursday night.

Residents said the latest incident appeared to be an extension of an earlier attack on nearby Sabon Gida (Gidan Ada Ogiri), where homes, farm produce and other valuables were destroyed.

They expressed fears over the worsening insecurity, noting that the fresh assault came less than 48 hours after the Sabon Gida attack.

“It is becoming unbearable. They abduct at will and now invade our entire communities unchecked. People are living in fear and fleeing their homes for safety,” a resident said.

The affected communities, once known for thriving mining activities and a vibrant local economy, have in recent times suffered repeated attacks blamed on suspected bandit groups.

Residents are now calling on the Nasarawa State Government to urgently intervene and strengthen security, especially as farmers begin preparations for the new planting season amid fears of renewed violence.

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