Panic at Nasarawa crusade as fear of armed herders trigger stampede

Panic broke out at a Christian crusade in Agboda Village, Nasarawa State, late Monday, after rumours of approaching armed herders triggered a chaotic stampede, sending worshippers fleeing for safety.

A viral video from the scene showed dozens of worshippers running in different directions, shouting as they attempted to escape.

No armed herders were visible in the footage, but the voice behind the camera claimed they had disrupted the event.

“They came for a crusade here in Agboda in Nasarawa State. We came in for crusade in this community today; look at what the herdsmen did. As you can see the way people are moving… you can see the youth, everybody is unrest for the sake of herdsmen”, the narrator said.

The footage, however, generated reactions online, raising concerns over insecurity in rural communities and the vulnerability of public gatherings.

But when contacted, the Police Command in Nasarawa said it had no record of any such incident in Agboda or anywhere else in the state.

Ramhan Hansel, the police spokesperson, told journalists that the command was unaware of the event and had not received any formal complaint.

“We don’t know where that incident happened, and there is no report of anything like that in Nasarawa State.

“You can help us speak to the person in the video if you know him and ask him to kindly come forward”, the Police said.

He explained that the police rely on reports from residents, local leaders, and officers on the ground to verify such incidents.

“We don’t know what has not been reported; we are not angels, we are human beings. If there is no police division in that area, there will at least be an outpost where such matters can be reported”, it added.

The Command confirmed that it had seen the viral clip but insisted no formal information had reached any unit.

Asked whether the police could initiate an independent probe, he said officers had already begun contacting Divisional Police Officers across the state to identify the location.

“Since morning, we have been calling all DPOs asking, ‘Where is this place located?’ but we are yet to get any feedback. We are appealing that the person in the video or anyone who knows him should please come forward”, the Command said.

The police urged residents to promptly report any security threat to the nearest division or outpost, assuring that the command remains committed to safeguarding all communities.