Tension and fear gripped Tse-Umelai, a Tiv community in the Kwara District of Keana Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, after an armed assault on local residents left two dead, one injured, and others missing. The attack occurred on January 26 around 4:00 p.m., when several community members had gone out to hunt and fish.
According to preliminary reports, the victims were ambushed by unknown gunmen who opened fire near a stream where locals were fishing. One of the victims, 60-year-old Thaddeus Tsehemba, was shot during the attack. Other community members were reportedly attacked with machetes, prompting survivors to flee the scene in panic.
Helen Akaa, a 45-year-old woman, sustained serious machete injuries during the assault. She was initially taken to the Primary Health Care (PHC) facility in Kadarko but was later referred to a higher-level medical facility in Lafia for further treatment, reflecting the severity of her wounds. Local sources say she remains in stable condition following surgery.
In response to the attack, troops of the Nigerian Army, alongside personnel from other security agencies, were quickly mobilized to the area to secure the community and begin investigations. Their immediate priority has been to search for the missing persons, secure the area, and prevent further attacks.
Of the four initially reported missing, two have been confirmed dead. Filomina Ubuga, 60, and Fidelis Yina, 45, were discovered lifeless during follow-up searches. Their bodies were evacuated from the scene and deposited at the PHC Kadarko mortuary. Meanwhile, Thaddeus Tsehemba, 60, and 70-year-old Clement Akaa remain unaccounted for as search operations continue. Residents of Tse-Umelai expressed growing concern over the whereabouts of the missing individuals, fearing further casualties.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos and fear as the gunmen struck without warning. Survivors said the attackers appeared to be heavily armed and coordinated, suggesting a level of planning in the assault. “They came swiftly, shooting and hacking anyone in their path. We had to run for our lives,” said one local resident who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Security sources confirmed that the Nigerian Army has intensified patrols in the area, deploying additional personnel to the surrounding communities to prevent secondary attacks. A joint team comprising military, police, and local vigilante units has also begun combing nearby forests and waterways to locate the missing persons and track the perpetrators.
Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements, while assuring the community that every effort is being made to apprehend the attackers. Nasarawa State police spokesperson stated that investigations are ongoing and that forensic and intelligence teams have been dispatched to gather evidence from the scene.
Incidents of armed attacks and communal violence have increasingly threatened rural communities in Nasarawa State, particularly in the Keana Local Government Area, which has experienced repeated security challenges related to criminal gangs and disputes over land and resources. Analysts warn that lack of adequate security infrastructure and delayed responses can exacerbate vulnerabilities for isolated communities like Tse-Umelai.
Local leaders in Tse-Umelai have called for urgent government intervention, emphasizing the need for sustained military and police presence to protect residents and prevent further tragedies. Community elders described the attack as “a devastating blow to our peace and way of life,” while appealing for justice and swift arrest of those responsible.
Search operations and investigations remain ongoing, with authorities urging anyone with information about the assailants or the missing persons to come forward. The Nigerian Army has promised continued support to the community until the security situation stabilizes and all missing individuals are accounted for.
Source: Africa Publicity
