By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
The Nasarawa State Police Command has confirmed that 11 people were killed and 52 houses set ablaze during a reprisal attack on Friday in the Akyawa and Udege Kasa communities of Nasarawa Local Government Area.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Lafia, the command’s spokesperson, SP Ramhan Nansel, said the violence erupted when suspected hoodlums launched an attack in retaliation for 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.
According to the spokesperson, the state Commissioner of Police, Shetima Mohammed, led a team to the affected communities for an on-the-spot assessment to determine the extent of destruction and restore normalcy.
The commissioner expressed deep sorrow over the incident and commiserated with the families of the victims and the communities. He assured them of the command’s unwavering commitment to ensuring justice is served.
Nansel added that the CP has ordered an intensive manhunt for the perpetrators, directing tactical teams and investigative units to promptly identify, arrest, and prosecute those responsible.
“To prevent any further breakdown of law and order, the commissioner of police has also directed the immediate reinforcement and sustained deployment of police personnel to the affected areas,” Nansel said.
He explained that the police are working in collaboration with the military and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to provide adequate security and restore lasting peace in the area.
During a stakeholders’ meeting held on the visit, the CP urged residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information to support ongoing investigations.
The police spokesperson reassured the public that normalcy has been restored to the affected communities, and proactive measures have been taken to prevent any recurrence of violence.
