Nansel disclosed that Shetima Mohammed, the Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, led a team on an on-the-spot assessment of the affected communities to ascertain the level of destruction and ensure that peace and normalcy were restored
A violent clash between communities in Nasarawa state has claimed the lives of no fewer than eleven locals, the police in the Middle Belt state said on Saturday.
The deadly communal crisis happened on Friday in Akyawa and Udege Kasa communities of Nasarawa Local Government Area.
In a statement issued by the spokesman of the Nasarawa State Police Command, SP Ramhan Nansel, confirming the incident, the police disclosed that over 50 houses were razed during the clashes.
According to Nansel, hoodlums had carried out a reprisal attack over 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,” he said.
Nansel disclosed that Shetima Mohammed, the Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, led a team on an on-the-spot assessment of the affected communities to ascertain the level of destruction and ensure that peace and normalcy were restored.
He said that the CP was deeply saddened by the tragic and unfortunate incident and commiserated with the families of the deceased and the communities, assuring them that the Command would do everything to bring those behind the nefarious and reprehensible acts to justice.
Nansel stated that CP has ordered a comprehensive and intensive manhunt for the perpetrators and directed tactical teams and investigative units to ensure their swift identification, arrest, and prosecution.
“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,” he said.
He further explained that the police were 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.
The police spokesperson further revealed that a stakeholders’ meeting was held during the visit, where the CP implored residents to stay calm, law-abiding, and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information to support ongoing investigations.
He, therefore, reassured members of the public that normalcy had been restored to the affected communities, while proactive measures had been taken to prevent any recurrence of violence.
