Bloodbath in Nasarawa: 11 Killed, homes burnt in fresh communal clash

Panic and devastation swept through Nasarawa communities early Friday as hoodlums launched a deadly attack, leaving 11 people dead and over 50 houses burnt, in what residents described as a brutal reprisal over the alleged killing of two of the attackers’ kinsmen.

The violence, which tore through the communities of Akyawa and Udege Kasa, sparked chaos as terrified residents fled their homes while flames consumed their properties. In Akyawa alone, approximately 50 houses were razed, while two houses were destroyed in Udege Kasa.

In a statement on Saturday, Police Public Relations Officer SP Ramhan Nansel confirmed the visit of the Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Mohammed, who expressed deep sorrow over the “tragic and senseless” attack. CP Mohammed assured that justice would be swiftly served, vowing that perpetrators would be hunted, arrested, and prosecuted.

To prevent further bloodshed, the Police Commissioner ordered an intensive manhunt, deploying tactical teams in collaboration with the Military and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to restore peace and security to the area. Residents were urged to remain calm, be law-abiding, and provide credible information to support the ongoing investigation.

Authorities reassured the public that normalcy has been restored, but proactive security measures remain in place to prevent another wave of violence.

The attack in Nasarawa follows a deadly incident in Plateau State on March 29, when gunmen opened fire at a busy junction in Jos, killing at least 28 people, including students and staff of the University of Jos.

The scale of Friday’s reprisal underscores growing fears over reprisals and communal clashes in the region, leaving communities on edge as security agencies work to bring the perpetrators to justice.