LAFIA, NASARAWA — A wave of violence has swept through the Nasarawa Local Government Area, leaving a trail of blood and ashes in its wake. In a coordinated overnight assault, unidentified gunmen stormed several rural communities, killing at least 11 residents and setting fire to more than 50 residential buildings.
The attack began late Sunday evening of March 29, 2026, when the assailants, reportedly numbering in the dozens, descended on the unsuspecting villages. According to survivors, the gunmen arrived on motorcycles, firing indiscriminately into the air to create panic before moving from house to house with jerry cans of petrol.
"We were woken up by the sound of gunfire and the smell of smoke," said Ibrahim, a local resident who escaped into the nearby bushes. "By the time I looked back, half the village was orange. They weren't just shooting; they were intent on burning everything we owned."
The brutal raid resulted in 11 confirmed deaths, with the victims primarily consisting of elderly men and local youth. Beyond the loss of life, the property damage was extensive; over 50 houses were reduced to rubble, and several granaries and two motorcycles were completely destroyed.
This devastation has triggered a major displacement crisis, forcing hundreds of villagers to flee their ancestral homes and seek refuge at the local government headquarters.
The Nasarawa State Police Command confirmed the incident on Monday morning, stating that tactical teams had been deployed to the area to restore order. However, the remote nature of the affected communities and poor road infrastructure reportedly delayed the arrival of security forces.
"We have received reports of the unfortunate attack in Nasarawa LGA," a police spokesperson stated. "Our officers are currently on the ground to conduct a headcount and trail the suspects. We urge the public to remain calm and provide any information that could lead to the arrest of these bandits."
The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has expressed deep concern over the scale of the displacement. With over 50 homes razed to the ground, many families have lost their entire livelihoods, including stored food supplies and farming equipment.
Local leaders and traditional rulers have condemned the "senseless" killings, calling on the Federal Government to intensify its efforts in tackling the rising tide of insecurity in the North-Central region. This latest raid follows a series of similar skirmishes in neighboring districts, raising fears of a wider breakdown of law and order.
As the smoke clears over the charred remains of the villages, the survivors face a grim reality: burying their dead and starting over from nothing in an increasingly volatile landscape.