The Nasarawa State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the death of 11 persons and the destruction of about 52 houses following a communal crisis in Akyawa and Udege Kasa communities in Nasarawa Local Government Area.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, April 3, 2026, was reportedly triggered by a reprisal attack by suspected hoodlums over the alleged killing of two individuals from a rival group.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro-Mohammed, visited the affected communities, where he convened a stakeholders’ meeting and urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding while supporting security agencies with credible information.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ramhan Nansel, the command said it had launched an intensive manhunt for the perpetrators of the attack, which destroyed property worth millions of naira.
According to the statement, the police boss expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident and condoled with the affected families.
“The attack occurred in the early hours of Friday, April 3, 2026, and is suspected to be a reprisal following the alleged killing of two individuals from a rival group. In the violence that ensued, 11 persons lost their lives, about 50 houses were burnt in Akyawa, while two others were destroyed in Udege Kasa,” the statement said.
Condemning the killings, the Commissioner of Police assured residents of the command’s commitment to justice, directing tactical teams and investigators to track down and prosecute those responsible.
The police also disclosed that security presence in the area has been reinforced in collaboration with the military and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to restore peace and maintain law and order.
The command reassured the public that normalcy has been restored in the affected communities, adding that proactive measures have been put in place to prevent a recurrence of violence.
By Umar Muhammed
