Fresh Violence Grips Nasarawa Communities
Nasarawa State has been plunged into renewed fear and anxiety following separate violent attacks that occurred between Friday night and Saturday. Armed gunmen and suspected herders targeted communities in Keana and Lafia Local Government Areas, resulting in the abduction of a married couple and severe injuries to farmers.
Midnight Abduction in Giza Community
Armed men invaded the home of Mr Yusuf Agbo in Giza, Keana Local Government Area at approximately 11:45 p.m. on Friday. The attackers fired shots before seizing both Mr Agbo and his wife, taking them to an unknown location. As of Sunday, residents confirmed that no contact had been established with either the victims or their abductors.
A community source who requested anonymity revealed that panic has spread throughout Giza LGA following this latest attack. The situation has become so dire that many residents are now leaving the area, while others have turned to prayers as repeated abductions and killings continue unchecked.
"We have heard nothing. People are living in fear. Many are relocating," the resident stated. "We have resolved to take the challenge to God in prayers because all attempts to stop these attacks have failed."
This incident comes after weeks of reported raids on Keana communities, despite assurances from the state government that new security measures were being implemented to protect residents.
Farmers Brutally Attacked in Barkin Abdullahi
In a separate incident on Saturday, suspected Fulani herders attacked a woman and her husband on their farm in Barkin Abdullahi (BAD), Lafia Local Government Area. According to Mr James Ovey, who spoke with The Guardian, the herders allegedly grazed cattle on the couple's farm and attacked them with machetes when they attempted to intervene.
The violence left the woman with her left wrist severed, while her husband sustained serious head injuries. Both victims are currently receiving treatment at a private hospital in Lafia. The police have yet to issue any public statement regarding either of these disturbing incidents.
Growing Pattern of Violence in North-Central Nigeria
These latest attacks follow a pattern of escalating violence in north-central Nigeria. Earlier this month, two communities staged protests after overnight attacks left at least six people dead and several others missing.
In Sarkin Noma, Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, suspected armed herders invaded the farming settlement between 11:30 p.m. and midnight, killing two men and abducting an elderly resident. Angered youths carried the victims' bodies to the Lafia–Makurdi highway at dawn, blocking traffic for hours and demanding government intervention.
Police spokesperson Ramhan Nansel confirmed the incident, noting that Commissioner Shettima Mohammed Jauro had deployed security personnel to restore calm in the area.
The security crisis has also affected neighboring Benue State, where commercial motorcycle riders shut down Gboko town after four of their colleagues were killed by gunmen who also stole their motorcycles. Protesters lit bonfires and disrupted business activities, forcing residents to remain indoors.
A protest leader expressed the community's frustration, stating: "Every week we lose someone. They kill our members and take away their bikes." Gboko Local Government Chairman, Torseer Yina, condemned the attack and convened an emergency security meeting, assuring families that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.
Police spokesperson Udeme Edet confirmed that normalcy had returned to the area and that investigations were ongoing. However, the continued violence across these states highlights the urgent need for more effective security measures to protect vulnerable communities.
