Lafia, November 26, 2025 – Fear and chaos gripped hundreds of Christian worshippers on Tuesday night when a group of armed herders stormed an open-air crusade organised by the Deeper Life Bible Church in the Agyaragu area of Lafia, Nasarawa State, forcing the programme to an abrupt end as attendees fled for safety.
Eyewitnesses told Clarion Newschannel that the incident occurred around 9:45 p.m. while the evening session of the three-day crusade was in full swing at the Deeper Life grounds along Jedi Road, Agyaragu. The crusade, which attracted worshippers from across Lafia and neighbouring communities, was being addressed by the guest preacher when more than a dozen herders, some openly brandishing AK-47 rifles and other weapons, rode into the venue on motorcycles and began shooting sporadically into the air.
“The herders came from the direction of the Jedi bridge,” said a church member who identified himself only as Brother Emmanuel. “They were shouting and firing guns. Everyone started running in different directions. Women were carrying their children, people were jumping fences, some fell and were trampled in the stampede. We thank God no one was shot, but many sustained injuries while escaping.”
Another attendee, Mrs. Mercy Audu, recounted: “We were praying when we heard the first gunshots. At first we thought it was fireworks, but when we saw people running and the herders riding straight toward the crowd with guns, panic took over. The preacher and pastors also ran for cover.”
Video footage circulating on social media shows worshippers scattering in darkness as the sound of rapid gunfire echoes, with some screaming and others diving behind plastic chairs and vehicles parked around the venue.
Church officials confirmed that the crusade, which began on Sunday, November 24 and was scheduled to end on Wednesday, November 27, has now been suspended indefinitely. The Nasarawa State Police Command confirmed receiving reports of the incident and stated that officers have been deployed to the area to restore calm and prevent reprisals.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Rahman Nansel, said in a brief telephone interview: “We are aware of the disturbance caused by some herders at a church programme in Agyaragu. Men have been deployed and the situation is under control. Investigation is ongoing to ascertain the motive and identify those involved.”
No arrests have been announced as of Wednesday morning, and no group or individual has claimed responsibility for the attack. Local residents, however, expressed concern that the incident may be linked to ongoing disputes over grazing routes in the Agyaragu-Jedi axis, where herders and farmers have clashed repeatedly in recent months.
The Nasarawa State Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned the invasion, describing it as “a deliberate attempt to intimidate worshippers and infringe on their constitutional right to freedom of worship.” State CAN Chairman, Archbishop Sunday Ichaba, called on security agencies to immediately apprehend the perpetrators and ensure the protection of religious activities across the state.
As of press time, calm has returned to Agyaragu, but many residents remain on edge, with some churches in the area cancelling mid-week services out of fear of further attacks.
Clarion Newschannel is monitoring the situation and will provide updates as more details emerge.
Panic in Nasarawa as Armed Herders Storm Church Crusade, Force Worshippers to Flee
