LAFIA – The Nasarawa State Police Command has confirmed the death of 11 people following a wave of violence that swept through the Akyawa and Udege Kasa communities on Friday. The attacks resulted in the destruction of at least 52 houses, leaving residents in a state of shock and displacement.

Conflicting Accounts of the Unrest

While initial reports suggested the violence stemmed from a clash between the two communities over undisclosed disagreements, local residents have offered a different narrative. Many survivors claim the settlements were invaded by bandits, linking the incident to a previous raid in the nearby Sabon Gida (Gidan Ada Ogiri) area, where farms and property were recently decimated.

According to police data, the destruction was concentrated in Akyawa, where 50 houses were razed, while two additional structures were burnt in Udege Kasa.

Police Response and Manhunt

In a statement released Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Nasarawa Command, SP Ramhan Nansel, confirmed that Commissioner of Police CP Shetima Mohammed has personally visited the affected sites.

"The Commissioner of Police has ordered an intensive manhunt for all perpetrators of this heinous act," Nansel stated. "Tactical teams and investigative units have been directed to ensure their prompt identification, arrest, and prosecution."

Security Measures and Restoration of Order

To prevent further escalation or reprisal attacks, the Command has implemented the following measures:

• Joint Deployment: A reinforced, sustained presence of Police personnel working in synergy with the Military and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

• Security Restoration: Officials maintain that normalcy has been restored to the area, though proactive patrols remain in place.

• Call for Cooperation: Authorities have urged residents to remain law-abiding and provide credible information to security agencies to assist the ongoing investigation.

While the police continue to investigate the "clash" narrative, the heavy property damage and loss of life have sparked urgent calls from local leaders for a permanent security outpost to protect these vulnerable border communities from further incursions.