Tragedy struck in Akaleku village, Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, on Wednesday night, when gunmen suspected to be Fulani bandits stormed the home of a newly-wedded couple. The assailants shot and killed the husband, Mr. Alu Anzaku, and abducted his wife, Mrs. Anzaku, just 13 days after their wedding. The violent incident has left the local community in shock, with family members and sympathizers deeply worried about the fate of the kidnapped woman.
The gruesome attack occurred at around 11 p.m. on Wednesday, as the young couple was likely preparing to settle in for the night, after what should have been a joyous beginning to their married life. Witnesses say that the assailants, armed and ruthless, raided the couple’s home in Akaleku village, a quiet settlement along the Lafia/Makurdi highway.
In a brutal attack, the gunmen shot Mr. Alu Anzaku, fatally wounding him, before abducting his wife, Mrs. Anzaku. The couple had only exchanged vows on April 12, making this attack even more tragic and heart-wrenching for the family, who are now in the midst of unbearable grief. The family’s excitement over the beginning of a new chapter in their lives was shattered in a matter of hours.
An eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous, recounted the traumatic scene. The witness described how the gunmen stormed the house with little warning, shooting Mr. Anzaku before abducting his wife. The attack was swift and terrifying, leaving little time for anyone to respond. The assailants reportedly fled the scene immediately after the abduction, leaving the community in a state of disbelief and fear.
“I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. One moment, they were a happy couple, and the next, everything was turned upside down. It all happened so quickly,” the eyewitness said.
The news of the attack has spread quickly through the local community, with residents in Akaleku village expressing their shock and sorrow. Family members of the Anzakus, as well as other sympathizers, are now desperately trying to make sense of what happened. The victim’s relatives are particularly concerned about the safety of the wife, who remains in the hands of the kidnappers.
At the time of filing this report, there has been no word on the condition or whereabouts of Mrs. Anzaku. The family is anxiously waiting for any information that might give them hope or direction regarding her safety.
This attack is just one example of the increasing threat posed by armed bandits in many parts of Nigeria, particularly in the north-central region. Fulani bandits have become notorious for their violent raids, abductions, and extortion, creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity in many communities. The Akaleku village attack, which happened so soon after the couple’s wedding, highlights the vulnerability of rural communities to these criminal groups.
Local authorities and security agencies have yet to confirm whether the attackers are indeed Fulani bandits, but the pattern of the raid and the region’s history with such incidents suggest that this could be the case. Residents of Akaleku and neighboring villages have been grappling with increased insecurity, and this latest attack has added to the growing fears that no one is safe.
The attack has also highlighted the challenge faced by security forces in curbing the activities of bandits. Despite efforts by both state and federal authorities to combat banditry and other criminal activities in the region, attacks like the one in Akaleku continue to occur with alarming frequency, leaving many feeling helpless.
As the family of the newlywed couple mourns the loss of Mr. Anzaku, they are also left to grapple with the harrowing uncertainty of the situation involving Mrs. Anzaku. The wife, who had just begun her married life with her husband, is now being held by armed criminals, and her family is calling on the government and security agencies to intervene and bring her home safely.
Nasarawa State, like many parts of northern Nigeria, has become increasingly vulnerable to banditry and other forms of violent crime in recent years. While the state government has taken steps to combat insecurity, including deploying security operatives and setting up local vigilance groups, the rise in attacks by armed groups has continued to strain local resources and leave communities exposed.
The kidnapping and murder in Akaleku village are just the latest incidents in a growing wave of violence in the region. In recent months, reports of abductions, robberies, and killings have become disturbingly common, and many communities are now living in fear of these criminal elements. The lack of a coordinated and effective response to the rise in insecurity is fueling public outcry and frustration among residents.
