The Senior Special Assistant on Humanitarian Services to Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Muhammed Egye Osolafia, who is popularly known as Deedat, has allegedly been kidnapped by gunmen.

The governor’s aide, Osolafia, was said to have been kidnapped upon arriving at his residence in Tudun Amba area of Lafia, the state capital, on Saturday night.

The gunmen were said to have reportedly arrived in the area, shooting sporadically into the air to put fear in residents nearby before heading straight for their target.

Mr. Peter Ahemba, who is the Senior Special Adviser to Governor Sule on Public Affairs, confirmed the development to Daily Post, describing it as sad and unfortunate.

He explained that he received the news of the abduction from another colleague.

Osolafia’s abduction came about two months after the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Culture, Barrister Yusuf Musa, was similarly abducted from his residence in Ungwan Nungu, also in Lafia.

SP Ramhan Nansel, the Police Public Relations Officer, could not be reached for comment on the incident.

Residents of Matazu Local Government Area have raised concerns following a peace dialogue held on Saturday between community leaders, Islamic clerics, and notorious bandit groups in the area.

Eyewitnesses reported that a notorious bandit leader attended the meeting armed with Rocket-Propelled Grenades, RPGs, General Machine Guns, GMGs, and AK-47 rifles, sparking anxiety among residents who continue to suffer frequent attacks.

Community leaders and clerics present at the talks expressed shock at the display of sophisticated weapons during what was meant to be a peace initiative.

“You came to a peace talk with AK-47 rifles, RPGs, and GMGs, and you return to the bush with the same weapons.

“How can this be called a peace deal?” a community leader asked, lamenting the recurring attacks that often escalate after such dialogues.

The clerics and local authorities stressed that for any genuine peace process to succeed, all parties must commit to laying down their arms without preconditions, prioritising the safety and security of residents above personal or group interests.

Residents further urged the government and security agencies to adopt stronger measures to ensure that future negotiations result in sustainable peace in the region.

Jordan on Sunday partially reopened the Allenby Bridge crossing with the Israeli-occupied West Bank, three days after a deadly gun attack forced its sudden closure.