The Nasarawa State Police Command has confirmed the deaths of 11 inhabitants of the Udege Development Area in the Nasarawa Local Government of the state as a result of ongoing violence between two communities.
The two warring communities, Akyawa and Udege Kasa, battled in the early hours of Friday over various differences.
In a statement released to journalists in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, on Saturday, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, explained that the casualties prompted the Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro Mohammed, to visit the communities in order to restore normalcy.
According to Nansel, during the CP’s visit to the afflicted settlements of Akyawa and Udege Kasa on April 3, 2026, Mohammed expressed his grief over the tragic tragedy, which took the lives of 11 people and caused the destruction of several homes.
He claimed that the CP expressed condolences to the relatives of the victims and the whole community, assuring them of the command’s unshakeable commitment to ensure that justice is served.
The PPRO 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.
“In response, CP Shetima has ordered an intensive manhunt for all perpetrators of the heinous act, directing tactical teams and investigative units to ensure their prompt identification, arrest, and prosecution.”
Nansel stated that in order to prevent further breakdowns in law and order, the CP had also ordered the immediate reinforcement and sustained deployment of police personnel in collaboration with the military and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to provide adequate security and restore long-term peace in the area.
“A stakeholders’ meeting was held during the visit, where the CP urged residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information to support ongoing investigations.
“The Command reassures members of the public that normalcy has been restored to the affected communities, while proactive measures are in place to prevent any recurrence of violence,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, there are reports of violent attacks on the settlements, with suspected Fulani groups, believed to be bandits, invading Akyawa and Udege Kasa late Thursday night.
According to local accounts, the latest assault is a continuation of previous violence in nearby Sabon Gida (Gidan Ada Ogiri), which destroyed residences, farm products, and other valuable items.
Residents noted that the current assault occurred only 48 hours after the attack on Sabon Gida, raising anxiety among inhabitants who claim no one knows whose village would be attacked next.
Sources voiced alarm that the attackers had been seen wandering around neighboring towns previous to the tragedy, but no decisive preventive actions were taken by security officials.
“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 lamented.
Our correspondent learned that the afflicted areas, which were formerly famed for their mining activity and thriving local economies, have recently been severely damaged by periodic insecurity ascribed to suspected bandits.
Residents are urging the Nasarawa State Government to act quickly to manage the situation and avert further devastation, particularly as farmers begin planting for the new season amid worries of fresh attacks.
