- Gunmen abducted a couple in Giza, intensifying fear across Nasarawa communities.
- Suspected herders brutally attacked another couple on their farm in Lafia LGA.
- Residents say repeated gunmen and herders attacks have forced people to flee.
- Earlier killings in Keana and protests in Benue show rising insecurity across the region.
Tension has returned to several Nasarawa communities following two violent attacks carried out between Friday night and Saturday. In Giza, Keana Local Government Area, armed men stormed the residence of Mr. Yusuf Agbo around 11:45 p.m., shooting repeatedly before abducting him and his wife. As of Sunday, no contact had been established with the couple or their kidnappers, leaving residents anxious and confused.
A community source said fear had gripped Giza, forcing many families to pack up and leave. He noted that the repeated attacks by gunmen had overwhelmed locals who now rely largely on prayers rather than government promises. According to him, all previous efforts to curb abductions in the area had produced little result.
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The abduction comes after weeks of similar raids across Keana, despite assurances from state officials that new security strategies were in place. Many villagers say the reality on the ground suggests otherwise.
On Saturday, a separate attack occurred in Barkin Abdullahi (BAD) in Lafia Local Government Area, where a couple working on their farm was reportedly confronted by suspected herders grazing cattle on their land. When the couple attempted to stop the destruction, the herders allegedly attacked them with machetes. The woman’s left wrist was severed, and her husband sustained severe head wounds. They are currently receiving treatment in a private hospital in Lafia.
Security agencies have yet to issue formal statements on either of the new incidents.
The latest wave of violence mirrors earlier tragedies. Only weeks ago, parts of Keana witnessed another deadly assault when suspected armed herders stormed Sarkin Noma between 11:30 p.m. and midnight, killing two men and abducting an elderly resident. Aggrieved youths later carried the bodies to the Lafia–Makurdi highway, blocking traffic for hours and demanding immediate intervention from the authorities. Police spokesperson Ramhan Nansel confirmed the attack at the time and said additional personnel had been deployed.
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The unrest has also spread beyond Nasarawa. In neighbouring Benue State, commercial motorcycle riders in Gboko organised a massive protest after four of their members were killed by gunmen who stole their motorcycles. The demonstration grounded activities in the town as angry riders lit bonfires and forced markets and shops to shut down.
Gboko Local Government Chairman, Torseer Yina, condemned the killings and summoned an emergency security meeting. Police spokesperson Udeme Edet later announced that calm had been restored and investigations were ongoing.
Despite these assurances, residents across Nasarawa communities say the attacks by gunmen and herders remain relentless, leaving many unsure of what tomorrow holds.
