Tragedy struck in Katakpa community of Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa state Monday as gunmen stormed the village , killing the village head, Alhaji Abubakar Ahmadu and 13 others in a fresh attack on the community.

It would be recalled that the community had earlier come under attacked including a police station where two picemen also loss their lives during the attack while on call of duty.

Sources told our Correspondent that the residents were attacked and killed in the early hours of Monday following the invasion of the village by unknown gunmen killing the village head, 13 others while scores are said to have various degree of injuries left during the attack.

Among those killed according to sources are two policemen and 11 other residents of the village.

Confirming the bloody incident, a resident of the village, Ibrahim Shuaibu,said that the gunmen launched the attack at about 2 am on Monday, adding that in the process set ablaze some houses as well.

The Chairman of Toto LGA, Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu Tashas, also confirmed the attack and the killings, adding that he was yet to get details of the casualties involved in the attack.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer, PPRO the Police Command in the state, DSP Ramhan Nansel, said was yet to issue a statement on the matter.

It would be further recalled that on January 1, 2024, gunmen invaded Katakpa, killed eight persons and set houses, including the palace of the village head, as well as vehicles.

Meanwhile, the Speaker, Nasarawa state House of Assembly,. Danladi Jatau has urged Governor Abdullahi Sule to urgently liaise with military to set up military base in Katakpa ward, Toto Local Government Area in order to reduce the consistent militia attacks in the area.

“We must live in peace with one another as peace is paramount. His Excellency, Gov. Abdullahi Sule is doing his best to ensure that peace reign in the state.

“Secondly, we urge Gov Abdullahi Sule to provide relief materials and shelter to the displaced persons. Thirdly, we urge His Excellency, Gov. Abdullahi Sule to provide security to flashing points in the state, particularly rural areas.,” the Speaker said.

He also urged Gov. Sule to deploy security agencies to Katakpa community in order to maintain law and order.

The Speaker while sympathizing with the people of Katakpa over the lost of lives and properties as a result of militia attack in the area also called on the people of the area to embrace peace and sheathe their swords at all times as well as urged the governor to ensure that security are deployed to the area to avert the spread and reprisal attack.

The Speaker also disclosed that there was crisis in Agwada, Kokona LGA on Feb.26, 2024 while urging the people to tolerate one another at all times for peace to reign in the state.

Earlier in their contributions, Hon Mohammed Garba Isimbabi, Hon Onarigu Onah Kana, Hon Mohammed Omadefu and Hon Musa Ibrahim condemned militia attack in Katakpa community, describing it as inhuman and devilish.

They also condoled with the people of the community and appealed to the government to take urgent step in order to protect lives and properties in the area.

They also urged the people to sheath their swords and embrace peace for the overall development of the area and the state at large.

Earlier, Hon Ibrahim Abdullahi Sa’ad, member representing Umaisha/ Ugya constituency at the state legislature while raising the issue appealed to the Speaker and his colleagues to support him to enable the state government set up military base in Katakpa community to forestall future recurrence.

“17 members of one family were killed, 11 members of one family killed as nobody can tell you how many people were killed including the village head of Katapha Abdullahi Sadiq as a result of the attack, this is unfortunate,” he said.

“I am appealing to the government to provide relief materials to the displaced persons. Because of last month attack His Excellency called for stakeholders security meeting and we reached agreement. Again on Sunday, Monday February, 2024, the same hoodlums came as early as 6 am and attack my people of Katakpa community. They burnt houses, destroyed properties, killing many people”, the lawmaker lamented