Gunmen Abduct APC Councillor Along Doma–Yelwa Road in Nasarawa

 Armed men have kidnapped a serving councillor from Doma Local Government Area in Nasarawa State, 

The victim, Muhammad Onumenya, who represents Doka Ward and is affiliated with the All Progressives Congress (APC), was taken on Sunday evening, February 23, around 7:35 p.m., while traveling along the Doma–Yelwa Village Road. Eyewitness accounts suggest the attackers struck quickly, overwhelming the councillor before vanishing into nearby bushes with him in tow.

Local sources say Onumenya had been moving within his constituency when the incident unfolded. The road, which connects Doma town to surrounding villages including Yelwa, passes through sparsely populated areas often used by criminal elements to target travelers. Such abductions have become disturbingly common in parts of Nasarawa, where kidnappers exploit poor lighting, limited security patrols, and dense vegetation to carry out their operations.

Shortly after the abduction was reported, a combined response team including police patrol units, local vigilantes, and community hunters was quickly assembled. They launched an immediate search of the surrounding farmlands and thickets, combing for any sign of the councillor or his abductors. As of the latest updates, however, no trace of Onumenya had been found, and the operation remained active with intensified efforts underway.

Security agencies have appealed to residents in Doma and neighboring communities to stay alert and share any credible information that could help locate the victim or lead to the perpetrators. Community leaders have echoed this call, stressing the importance of collective vigilance in an area where trust in formal security can sometimes waver due to the frequency of such crimes.

This latest incident fits into a broader pattern of insecurity plaguing Nasarawa State and much of the North Central region. Kidnappers, often operating in small armed groups, frequently target public figures, business owners, and ordinary commuters along secondary roads, demanding ransoms that can run into millions of naira. While many victims are eventually released after payments, the psychological and economic toll on families and communities remains heavy.

Political figures like councillors are not immune; their visibility and perceived access to resources make them attractive targets. Past cases in Nasarawa have involved abductions of local government officials and even higher-ranking party leaders, underscoring how deeply entrenched these threats have become.

Authorities have yet to disclose whether contact has been made with the kidnappers or if any ransom demands have surfaced. The Nasarawa State Police Command and other security outfits are coordinating the search, drawing on local intelligence and hunter networks familiar with the terrain.

For now, the focus remains on securing Muhammad Onumenya's safe return. Friends, family, and constituents in Doka Ward are anxiously awaiting news,  Travelers in the area have been advised to avoid isolated stretches after dark and to report suspicious movements promptly.

As the search continues, officials have promised to keep the public informed of any developments.