At least 11 people have been confirmed dead and more than 50 houses destroyed following a violent clash between two communities in Nasarawa State, sparking fears of possible bandit involvement.
The incident, which occurred on Friday, affected the communities of Akyawa and Udege Kasa, leaving a trail of destruction and displacement. Eyewitness accounts indicate that about 50 houses were burnt in Akyawa, while two others were destroyed in Udege Kasa.
While authorities initially described the violence as a clash arising from disagreements between the two communities, some residents insist the attack bore the hallmarks of a coordinated invasion by armed bandits. These claims, however, have yet to be officially confirmed.
The Nasarawa State Police Command has confirmed the death toll, with the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, stating that the Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Mohammed, visited the affected areas and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and property.
In response to the incident, the Commissioner has ordered an intensive manhunt for those responsible, directing tactical and investigative units to ensure their swift identification and prosecution.
“To prevent any further breakdown of law and order, the Commissioner of Police has also directed the immediate reinforcement and sustained deployment of Police personnel, in synergy with the Military and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to restore lasting peace in the area,” the statement read.
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Residents have been urged to remain calm, law-abiding, and to cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that could aid ongoing investigations.
Police authorities further reassured the public that normalcy has been restored to the affected communities, with proactive measures in place to prevent a recurrence of violence.
Meanwhile, locals have linked the incident to an earlier attack in nearby Sabon Gida (Gidan Ada Ogiri), where houses and farm produce were destroyed, raising concerns over a growing pattern of insecurity in the area.
