Date: April 4, 2026 l Reporter: Musa Amed
At least 11 persons have been killed in a violent communal clash in Nasarawa State, Nigeria, with police launching a full-scale manhunt for those responsible for the deadly attack.
The incident occurred in the early hours of April 3, 2026, in the Akyawa and Udege Kasa communities within the Udege Development Area of Nasarawa Local Government Area. Authorities confirmed that the violence was carried out by suspected hoodlums in what is believed to be a reprisal attack linked to earlier killings in the area.
Police reports indicate that the attackers stormed the communities, killing at least 11 residents and setting ablaze dozens of homes. Approximately 50 houses were destroyed in Akyawa alone, while additional properties were damaged in Udege Kasa, leaving many families displaced.
The Nasarawa State Police Command, through its spokesperson Ramhan Nansel, confirmed the incident and described it as a tragic and senseless act of violence. He stated that the Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro Mohammed, visited the affected communities to assess the situation and sympathize with victims’ families.
In response to the attack, the police have ordered an intensive manhunt to track down and prosecute those responsible. Tactical teams and investigative units have been deployed, working in collaboration with the military and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to restore order and prevent further escalation.
Authorities also confirmed that additional security personnel have been stationed in the affected areas to maintain peace, while residents have been urged to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information to aid ongoing investigations.
Local sources described the attack as sudden and devastating, with many residents fleeing their homes as violence spread across the communities. The destruction of homes and properties has further deepened fears of continued instability in the region.
The latest incident highlights ongoing tensions in parts of Nasarawa State, where communal disputes—often linked to land, ethnic, or farmer-herder conflicts—have repeatedly resulted in deadly confrontations.
As security agencies intensify efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice, residents are calling on both state and federal authorities to implement lasting solutions to prevent recurring violence and ensure the safety of vulnerable communities.