Tragedy in Sarkin Noma: Two Youths Killed in Kidnapping Attack
In a tragic incident that has shaken the community of Sarkin Noma in Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, two young men were reportedly killed during an attack by kidnappers who stormed the area in the early hours of Friday. The confrontation occurred around 2 a.m., leading to widespread anger and protests among local residents.
The attack prompted hundreds of angry youths to gather and block the busy Makurdi highway for several hours. They carried placards with messages of frustration and demands for action, vowing not to reopen the road until the government addressed the growing security crisis in the region. The protest highlighted the deep concerns of the community over frequent abductions and attacks by armed groups.
According to reports, the state Commissioner of Police, Shettima Jauro-Mohammed, intervened and persuaded the protesters to disperse. He assured them of immediate action to address the security challenges. A youth leader from the community, Ogu Iliya, shared details of the attack, stating that approximately 50 gunmen entered Sarkin Noma, firing randomly before abducting an elderly man named Matthew Anzaku.
Iliya explained that the youths mobilized to rescue the victim but were met with heavy gunfire, resulting in the deaths of two members of the community. “The gunmen, believed to be herdsmen, attacked at about 2 a.m. We tried to rescue the man they kidnapped, but they overpowered us. Two of our boys were shot dead,” he said.
He further expressed the community’s growing fear, noting that such attacks have become increasingly common. “People can no longer go to the market to sell their farm produce without fear of being kidnapped. The old man taken last night is still missing, and we don’t know his condition.”
The protesters later carried the bodies of the two slain youths to the highway, causing significant disruption along the Makurdi–Keana route. This act underscored the gravity of the situation and the desperation of the community to seek justice.
In response to the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Rahman Nansel, confirmed the event and stated that the Commissioner of Police led a team of security operatives to restore calm in the area. He added, “Normalcy has been restored, and investigations have commenced to uncover those behind the repeated kidnappings in Keana and its environs. The command will ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.”
The incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for effective measures to combat the rising tide of violence and kidnappings in the region. As the community mourns the loss of two young lives, there is a growing demand for stronger security and accountability from authorities.