Community Mourns as Gunmen Kill Youth Leader, Abduct Two Others

The people of Nakere, a Buh-speaking community in Wamba LGA of Nasarawa State, are in shock and grief after unknown gunmen invaded their area on Wednesday night, February 28, 2024.

The attackers killed a youth leader, Tari Moses Gbaja, also known as T Boy, and kidnapped a businessman, Nnamani Albert, and Tabitha Dauda Musa, the wife of the presiding pastor of Christ-Elect Revival Mission. Many other residents were wounded in the attack, which lasted for about an hour.

According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen came in large numbers, armed with sophisticated weapons, and opened fire indiscriminately on the unsuspecting villagers. They also set some houses and vehicles ablaze before escaping with their captives. The motive behind the attack is still unknown, as the gunmen did not demand any ransom or make any contact with the families of the victims.

The deceased youth leader, Tari Moses Gbaja, was a popular and respected figure in the community. He was known for his activism and philanthropy, as he often organized and sponsored various developmental projects and empowerment programs for the youths. He was also a staunch supporter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

The kidnapped businessman, Nnamani Albert, is a native of Enugu State, but has been living and doing business in Nakere for over a decade. He owns a supermarket and a petrol station in the town. He is married with three children.

The kidnapped pastor’s wife, Tabitha Dauda Musa, is a mother of four and a devoted Christian. She assists her husband in running the Christ-Elect Revival Mission, a fast-growing church in the community.

The residents of Nakere have appealed to the state and federal governments, as well as the security agencies, to intervene and rescue the abducted persons, and also bring the perpetrators to justice. They also called for more security presence and protection in the area, which has been prone to attacks by bandits and kidnappers in recent times.

As of the time of writing this report, the police have not issued any statement or confirmed any arrests in connection with the incident.