Nasarawa Communities Deserted 2 Weeks After Clash Claimed 2 Lives

The Mararaba Udege community in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State and its environs have been deserted for about two weeks after a fresh wave of unrest engulfed the area.

Many residents had fled the community to neighbouring villages following a clash between the Ombu and Eki clans of the Afo ethnic group.

In the clash, a prominent community leader, Mr Iliya Osanga Odah Gomna, was reportedly killed, triggering a violent protest which led to the destruction of several houses and other properties.

According to a source, a young man was slaughtered while trying to flee the area by the mob.

Our correspondent reports that military and police personnel are still present to keep watch and avert further breaches of peace in the area.

At the Udege Mbeki junction, the community‘s social nerve centre, an armoured vehicle stood facing the central expressway while military and police trucks were nearby.

The source said the incident may be connected with the May 2024 clash, which led to the death of five persons, including the village head of Ebbe Oka.

He noted that the crisis was purely chieftaincy and a land dispute that had lingered for a long time.

“Remember the killing of a village head in the last incident? Many people are saying what happened now must have been a reprisal of what occurred earlier,” he explained.

LEADERSHIP recalls that following the May incident, Governor Abdullahi Sule had approved the constitution of a 6-man Investigative Committee to unravel the cause of the communal clash.

The committee was chaired by the Emir of Karshi, Professor Mohammed Sani Bako with Major General Iliyasu Isa Abbah(Rtd), Barrister Labaran Shuaibu Magaji (Commissioner for Justice/Attorney-General of Nasarawa State), Ambassador Timothy Inusa Kasuwa (Commissioner for Special Duties, Security and Sundry Matters) and CP Isa Baba(Rtd) as members while Adamu Akpa (Director, Special Services, Office of the Secretary to the State Government) is to serve as Secretary.

The committee, given two weeks to conclude its investigations, has since submitted its report.

The source said the state government must act decisively to end the lingering crisis immediately.