The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has called on security agencies to urgently deploy personnel to Mararaba Udege in Nasarawa LGA to address the ongoing violence that has left dozens dead and properties destroyed.
Speaker of the House, Danladi Jatau, made the appeal during a plenary session in Lafia after Onarigu Onah Kana, representing Udege/Loko Constituency, raised the issue under Matters of Public Interest.
Jatau expressed dismay over the continued killings among members of the Afo tribe, describing the violence as a tragedy fueled by “worldly things”, emphasizing the sanctity of human life and urged for immediate action to restore peace and security in the area.
“We urge security agencies to mobilize their officers to Mararaba Udege immediately to halt the killings.
“We also appeal to Governor Abdullahi Sule to liaise with military authorities to establish a military base in the area to ensure lasting peace,” he added.
“In order to guarantee enduring peace, we also urge Governor Abdullahi Sule to coordinate with military authorities to establish a military base in the region,” he continued.
The Speaker urged the warring sides to put aside their differences for the sake of unity and progress, and he praised Governor Sule for his continuous efforts to promote peace and security.
Onarigu Kana previously described the terrible circumstances in his district, citing everyday acts of violence that cause property damage and the lives of innocent people.
He called on the House to adopt actions to put an end to the situation, saying, “The killings must stop.”
Kana’s concerns were echoed by other lawmakers, such as Solomon Akwashiki, Abel Yakubu Bala, and Abdullahi Ibrahim Sa’ad, who denounced the senseless violence among members of the same tribe and urged security forces to step up efforts to protect lives and property.
According to reports, the conflict in Mararaba Udege started in December 2023 between the Afo tribe’s Eben and Angazo communities and has since spread to include the Eki and Ambu clans. The violence has displaced numerous people and resulted in the deaths of over 40 people, despite government interventions, including the provision of security measures and relief materials.
Lawmakers also expressed sympathy for the affected communities and emphasized the urgent need for increased security deployment to prevent further casualties.
