Governor Sule Confirms Arrests in Nasarawa Wedding Massacre

In a swift reaction to the bloodshed that marred the end of 2025, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has confirmed that several suspects are now in custody following the brutal attack on the Akunza-Ashige community. The Governor, speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Mr. Peter Ahemba, used a bi-monthly press briefing in Lafia to reassure a jittery public that the long arm of the law is narrowing in on the perpetrators. While the number of those detained remains undisclosed for operational reasons, the state government insists that a high-intensity manhunt is currently active to track down the remaining members of the gang.

The tragedy struck on the early morning of December 31, 2025, turning a day of celebration into a nightmare for the Migili-speaking residents of Lafia Local Government Area. Armed men, concealed behind masks, stormed a traditional wedding ceremony in the Akunza-Ashige area, unleashing a volley of gunfire on unsuspecting guests. The assault claimed three lives—two at the scene and a third who succumbed to injuries in the hospital—while eight others remain in critical condition, battling wounds sustained during the chaos.

Governor Sule described the incident as a “dastardly act” that targeted law-abiding citizens at their most vulnerable. Upon receiving the distress call, the Governor reportedly mobilized a tactical response, deploying the State Commissioner of Police, Shetima Jauro-Mohammed, along with a detachment of mobile police personnel to the chiefdom. The immediate intervention was successful in restoring a fragile normalcy to the area, but the psychological scars on the community, particularly among women and children who fled the festivities in terror, remain deep.

Beyond the immediate tactical response, the Governor emphasized that the state’s security architecture has been placed on high alert to prevent reprisal attacks or further incursions. The Migili Youth Association (MYA) had previously voiced strong condemnation of the “barbaric” invasion, calling for more than just arrests. They demanded a permanent security presence in vulnerable rural corridors where kidnapping and armed banditry have seen a worrying uptick in recent months. In response, the government pledged that those behind the wedding massacre would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law to serve as a definitive deterrent.

While security dominated the briefing, the political temperature in Nasarawa also surfaced as a key topic of discussion. As the state moves closer to the 2027 electoral cycle, the debate over the zoning of the governorship seat has intensified. Governor Sule, through his spokesperson, revealed that he is currently engaged in “wide consultations” with traditional rulers, party elders, and various interest groups. Despite the mounting pressure from different senatorial districts, the administration maintained that no final decision has been reached on whether the succession will favor the Southern, Northern, or Western zones.

The Governor urged political actors to exercise patience, stating that the “overall interest of Nasarawa State” would dictate the final zoning arrangement. He cautioned against premature agitations that could distract from the primary task of governance and security. For now, the ruling party appears content to keep its cards close to its chest, promising to unveil its official position only after a consensus is reached among the state’s primary stakeholders.

For the residents of Akunza-Ashige, however, the intricacies of zoning are secondary to the immediate need for safety. The government’s confirmation of arrests provides a glimmer of hope for justice, but the ongoing manhunt serves as a reminder that the threat has not been entirely neutralized. As the victims of the New Year’s Eve attack are laid to rest, the Sule administration faces a dual challenge: securing a restive population while navigating the treacherous waters of state-wide political succession.