In a brazen assault that has sent shockwaves through Nasarawa State, gunmen stormed the palace of the Chu Buh (traditional ruler) of Nakera, Wamba Local Government Area, on Sunday night, leaving a trail of horror in their wake. According to reports from residents who spoke to Punch Newspapers [Punch], the heavily armed attackers descended upon the palace between 10:30 PM and 11:00 PM, unleashing a barrage of gunfire that sent the community into hiding.
Amidst the chaos, the gunmen fatally shot the police officer assigned to protect the monarch, Mondeh Chagga. Not content with this act of violence, they then abducted the Chu Buh’s wife, Patience Tari, and one of his aides, Kefas Shehu. Their current whereabouts remain unknown.
“We heard gunshots going off for a while,” recounted a resident who spoke to Punch on condition of anonymity. “It was late at night, and everyone was scared. We only found out later about the death of the policeman and the kidnapping.”
One particularly unsettling detail emerging from the attack is the reported theft of the slain officer’s rifle by the gunmen. This raises concerns about the potential for the assailants to utilize these weapons in future attacks.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear. Kidnapping for ransom has become an unfortunate reality in many parts of Nigeria, and this could be a possibility. However, authorities haven’t ruled out other motives, and a full investigation is underway.
The Nasarawa State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ramhan Nansel, confirmed the incident to the press but declined to comment further, citing the ongoing investigation [Punch]. Efforts to reach the Nasarawa State Government for comment were unsuccessful at the time of this report.
This brazen attack on a traditional ruler’s palace and the abduction of his family members has cast a dark shadow over Nasarawa State. It serves as a stark reminder of the security challenges plaguing parts of Nigeria. The authorities face immense pressure to apprehend the perpetrators, secure the safe return of the abducted individuals, and restore a sense of security to the traumatized community.
This is a developing story, and further details are expected to emerge.
