Armed men have kidnapped Dr. Muhammed Egye Osolafia, Senior Special Assistant on Humanitarian Services to Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State.
The abduction occurred on Saturday night at Tudun Amba in Lafia.
Witnesses said the assailants, who stormed the area shooting into the air, seized Osolafia just as he was about to enter his home.
The governor’s Senior Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Peter Ahemba, confirmed the incident to journalists on Sunday, describing it as “sad and unfortunate.”
The attack adds to the rising spate of kidnappings in Lafia and other parts of Nasarawa, despite repeated security operations and arrests of suspects.
Only recently, Governor Sule warned government officials against using their influence to secure the release of suspected kidnappers in custody.
Security analysts link the surge in abductions to the influx of displaced persons from bandit-hit states and the ongoing military crackdown in neighbouring Benue, which has pushed some criminal groups into Nasarawa.
The worsening insecurity has left businesses struggling, with residents in several communities shutting down operations early and retreating indoors by 8 p.m. out of fear.