At least 11 people have been killed and over 50 houses destroyed following renewed communal clashes in Udege Development Area of Nasarawa Local Government Area, Nasarawa State.
The violence, which erupted in the early hours of Friday, involved residents of Akyawa and Udege Kasa communities, reportedly triggered by lingering disputes and reprisal attacks.
Confirming the incident in Lafia on Saturday, Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, said the Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro Mohammed, visited the affected communities on April 3, 2026, to assess the situation and restore calm.
Nansel explained that the attack was allegedly carried out by suspected hoodlums in retaliation for the earlier killing of two individuals. According to him, 11 people lost their lives during the violence, while about 50 houses were burnt in Akyawa and two in Udege Kasa.
During his visit, the Commissioner of Police expressed condolences to the bereaved families and assured residents that those responsible would be brought to justice. He subsequently ordered a comprehensive manhunt, directing tactical and investigative teams to track down and prosecute the perpetrators.
To prevent further escalation, security has been reinforced in the area, with police working alongside the military and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to maintain order and ensure lasting peace.
A stakeholders’ meeting was also held, where residents were urged to remain calm, obey the law, and support security agencies with credible information.
While the police say normalcy has been restored, concerns persist among residents amid reports that suspected Fulani militia groups may have carried out coordinated attacks. Local sources linked the violence to a previous incident in nearby Sabon Gida, where properties and farmlands were recently destroyed.
Residents expressed fear over the recurring attacks, noting that the affected communities—once known for thriving mining activities and a vibrant local economy—are now grappling with worsening insecurity.
They have called on the Nasarawa State Government to urgently intervene, warning that the situation could further disrupt farming activities as the planting season begins.