Worshippers in Agboda, a community in Nasarawa State, were thrown into panic on Monday night after suspected herdsmen allegedly disrupted an outdoor Christian crusade, forcing hundreds of participants to flee abruptly.
A video that surfaced online on Tuesday captured the moment the gathering descended into chaos, with men, women, and youths sprinting in different directions as the programme was halted.
According to witnesses, the crusade—attended by residents from Agboda Village and neighbouring settlements—was underway when a group of suspected herders reportedly approached the area, triggering fear among congregants.
In the viral clip, a man recording the scene narrated:
“We came for a crusade here today, and look at what the herdsmen have caused. People are running… everyone is in fear because of the herdsmen in this part of Nasarawa State.”
Although the video showed frantic movement and rising alarm, no explicit acts of violence or visible weapons were captured.
Speaking to newsmen, the programme organiser, Dr. Daniel Ukpo, confirmed that the incident occurred between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
He explained that panic spread after reports filtered in that a youth in a nearby community had been attacked by assailants.
“One of the boys was riding his motorcycle when he was attacked and cut with a machete,” Ukpo said. “His bike was taken, and once the news reached the crusade ground, people started running in fear. We had to stop the programme immediately.”
Ukpo, who has been organising outreach missions across the Mararaba Udege axis, said the scare reflects a growing pattern of insecurity in the region. He recalled that during a recent visit to Ochimi community, residents complained about recurring assaults on farmlands and threats to their safety.
According to him, security presence in the area remains grossly inadequate.
“People are attacked on the roads and even on their farms, and many of these incidents don’t make it to the authorities,” he said. He also alleged that previous religious gatherings had been disrupted by individuals described as armed herders.
“The saddest part is that people here feel helpless. They have no alternative place to go, yet they’re living with constant fear,” he added.
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As of the time of filing this report, no injuries or deaths related to the crusade incident had been confirmed. Officials of the Nasarawa State government and police command have not issued a formal statement.
The disturbance adds to the rising sense of insecurity across North-Central Nigeria, where several rural communities have experienced attacks, abductions, and farmland invasions in recent weeks.
