Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — A joyous traditional wedding celebration in Akunza, a Migili-speaking community in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, turned into a scene of terror late Tuesday night when unknown gunmen stormed the ceremony, opening fire on guests and sending survivors fleeing in panic. The violent assault left at least three people dead and several others wounded, including women and children, according to community sources and early police confirmations.
The attack occurred while wedding festivities were underway in the rural settlement, a typically peaceful area on the outskirts of Lafia. Eyewitnesses said the assailants — whose identities and motives remain unclear — arrived suddenly and began shooting indiscriminately at guests, forcing attendees to scramble for safety. Injured victims were rushed to nearby health facilities for treatment as local authorities and security officials moved to the scene.
Officials from the Nasarawa State Police Command have acknowledged the incident, though formal details on the number of casualties and the condition of those injured are still emerging. In an initial response, police said they had launched an investigation into the attack and deployed additional personnel to secure the community and provide assistance to victims.
The assault on what should have been a celebratory event highlights a troubling trend of insecurity affecting even social and cultural gatherings across parts of central and northern Nigeria. Attacks on weddings and other communal ceremonies have, in recent years, been reported in various regions, contributing to fear and anxiety among residents.
Local youth and community leaders have condemned the violence, calling for swift action from government authorities and security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators and prevent similar tragedies. Residents described the attack as a shocking violation of a cultural institution that brings families and communities together.
Eyewitnesses at the scene described chaotic scenes as the gunmen opened fire. Survivors recounted desperate attempts to protect loved ones and escape the violence, with many guests fleeing into nearby bushland or seeking cover in homes adjacent to the venue.
The motive behind the attack has not yet been established, and it is not immediately clear whether the assailants acted as part of an organised criminal group, politically motivated faction, or other armed actors. Authorities have urged calm while the investigation continues.
State and local authorities face rising pressure to address the broader security challenges confronting communities in and around Lafia, where incidents of armed banditry, kidnappings, and random shootings have periodically disrupted daily life and communal activities. Civil society groups have reiterated calls for enhanced protection of vulnerable communities, improved intelligence-gathering, and more effective deployment of security forces to deter attacks.
As investigations proceed, families of the victims are left to mourn their losses and pray for the recovery of the injured, while the wider community struggles to comprehend the sudden eruption of violence amid what should have been a peaceful celebration of marriage and unity.
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