Tension has gripped Idadu community in the Agbashi Development Area of Doma Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, after suspected Fulani bandits killed a police officer and two vigilante members in a fresh ambush on Wednesday evening.
The victims, who were part of a joint security patrol, were said to have come under heavy gunfire while carrying out routine surveillance along the Doma–Idadu Road. According to eyewitnesses, the attackers laid siege to the area and opened fire without warning, killing the security operatives on the spot.
The slain police officer was attached to the Agbashi Police Division, while the two vigilante members were part of a local security task force established by community leaders to support formal law enforcement agencies in tackling the rising cases of banditry, kidnapping, and cattle rustling in the southern part of the state.
Residents described the assault as “well-coordinated and ruthless,” saying the gunmen operated in a commando-style manner, overwhelming the security team before disappearing into nearby bushes.
“They came out of nowhere and started shooting,” said a resident who witnessed the attack. “The police officer and the vigilantes tried to take cover, but they were caught in the open. It all happened very fast. The attackers did not say a word—they just opened fire and left.”
Following the attack, other security operatives were quickly mobilized to the area to recover the bodies of the victims and to search for the fleeing assailants. However, as of Thursday morning, there were no reports of any arrests.
This latest killing comes barely a week after seven people were murdered in a similar outbreak of violence across communities in Keana and Doma Local Government Areas. The incidents have heightened fear and anxiety among residents, many of whom believe that the state is witnessing a resurgence of deadly attacks that had previously reduced earlier this year.
For years, southern Nasarawa has faced recurring clashes between suspected armed herders, bandits, and local communities. The violence often revolves around disputes over land, grazing routes, and criminal activities such as kidnapping and cattle rustling.
The Doma–Keana–Agbashi axis, in particular, has been a hotspot for such attacks, with security agencies frequently conducting patrols to deter criminal groups operating in the area. Despite these efforts, the killings have continued, raising questions about the effectiveness of current security measures.
Local leaders have repeatedly appealed to both the state and federal governments to provide more resources and manpower to the region, stressing that the criminals are often better armed and more organized than the local security teams.
Following Wednesday’s ambush, several residents of Idadu and nearby villages have fled their homes in fear of further attacks. Community sources revealed that many families have sought refuge in Agbashi town and Doma, while others have crossed into neighboring areas of Benue State for safety.
“The situation here is very scary,” said one displaced farmer who fled Idadu with his family. “We don’t sleep at night anymore because we don’t know when the bandits will come again. The government needs to act fast before more people die.”
Some locals have accused security operatives of not responding swiftly to distress calls, alleging that help often arrives hours after attacks have already taken place. This, they say, has emboldened the criminals to continue their operations without fear of arrest.
The Nasarawa State Government has yet to release an official statement on the incident, but sources in the Ministry of Information said efforts are being made to strengthen security presence in Doma and surrounding areas.
The Nasarawa State Police Command has also not issued a formal confirmation as of press time. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ramhan Nansel, could not be reached for comments on the attack, but security officials in Doma Division confirmed that an investigation has been launched to track down those responsible.
A senior police source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said reinforcements had been sent to the area to restore calm and prevent retaliatory attacks. “We are doing everything possible to bring the perpetrators to justice,” the source said. “We will not allow these criminals to continue to terrorize our communities.”
Nasarawa State, which shares borders with Benue, Kogi, and Kaduna States, has in recent years become a major flashpoint for bandit attacks, communal clashes, and farmer-herder conflicts. The proximity of Doma and Keana to Benue State, another hotspot for herder-related violence, has further complicated security efforts.
In 2023 and early 2024, several initiatives were introduced by both the state and federal governments, including the deployment of joint military and police patrols, and the establishment of community-based vigilante groups to assist in intelligence gathering. However, Wednesday’s killings show that despite these measures, banditry remains a serious threat to peace and stability in the region.
As residents of Doma and Keana mourn the latest victims, many are pleading for decisive government action to end the cycle of bloodshed that has left countless families grieving and displaced.
