April 04, (THEWILL) — Calm has been restored in Akyawa and Udege Kasa communities of Nasarawa Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, following a deadly communal clash that left no fewer than 11 persons dead and over 52 houses burnt.
The Nasarawa State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Saturday by its spokesperson, SP Ramhan Nansel, who disclosed that the violence occurred in the early hours of Friday as a reprisal attack by suspected hoodlums over the alleged killing of two of their kinsmen.
“In the course of the attack, 11 people were killed, while about 52 houses were burnt in the two communities,” Nansel stated.
In a swift response, the Commissioner of Police, Shetima Mohammed, led a team of senior officers on an on-the-spot assessment visit to the affected communities to evaluate the extent of destruction and coordinate immediate security measures.
During the visit, the CP expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives and destruction of property, commiserating with the families of the deceased and the affected communities. He assured residents of the Command’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that justice is served.
The Police Commissioner has ordered an intensive manhunt for the perpetrators, directing tactical teams and investigative units to ensure their prompt identification, arrest, and prosecution.
To prevent any further breakdown of law and order, the Command has reinforced security presence in the affected areas with sustained deployment of personnel. The police are also working in collaboration with the military and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to maintain peace and safeguard lives and property.
As part of efforts to de-escalate tensions and foster unity, a stakeholders’ meeting was convened during the assessment visit, where community leaders and residents were urged to remain calm, law-abiding, and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information to aid ongoing investigations.
The Police Command reassured the public that proactive measures have been put in place to prevent a recurrence of violence, emphasizing that normalcy has been fully restored in the affected communities.
Authorities further called on residents to embrace peaceful coexistence and dialogue as a sustainable means of resolving disputes, reaffirming their commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
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