Gunmen attack Nasarawa community, disrupt Church Crusade, injures one

A church crusade in Agboda community, Mararaba Udege area of Nasarawa Local Government Area, was thrown into confusion on Monday evening after unidentified armed men attacked the area, leaving one participant with machete wounds.

Speaking on phone, the organiser of the programme, Dr. Daniel Ukpo, said the incident happened between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., just as people gathered for the crusade.

He explained that the congregation suddenly began to run for safety after hearing that gunmen had attacked a nearby community.

Dr. Ukpo added that in the panic and rush to escape, one participant was macheted by the attackers, causing people to scatter even more as the programme was abruptly halted.

“One of the youths in the community was attacked while riding his motorcycle and suffered a machete cut. His motorcycle was also taken. When news of the attack reached us, confusion broke out and people began to flee,” Ukpo said.

He explained that the crusade had to be halted abruptly due to the tension that followed.

Ukpo expressed concern over what he described as recurring security incidents in the Mararaba Udege axis. He recounted that during a recent visit to Ochimi community, residents expressed fears over their safety and the destruction of crops.

He also noted that security presence in the area was inadequate. “People are being attacked on the roads and on their farms, and many cases are not reported,” he added, calling on the government to strengthen security in the affected communities.

Ukpo further claimed that in previous instances, religious gatherings in the area had been disrupted by individuals he described as armed herders.

“The worrying part is that residents here feel defenceless. Many have nowhere else to relocate and are living in fear,” he said.

At the time of this report, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

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