Nasarawa Govt Orders DSS Probe as Youths Disrupt Shettima’s Visit to Emir of Lafia

The Nasarawa State Government has directed the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate an incident involving some youths during Vice President Kashim Shettima’s courtesy visit to the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad (retd.), amid rising political tension in the state.

The directive was announced on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Labaran Magaji, in Lafia, the state capital.

Shettima had visited Nasarawa State to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Lafia. During the visit, the Vice President also paid homage to the Emir of Lafia, who chairs the Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs, in recognition of the traditional institution.

However, the state government said the courtesy visit to the monarch was disrupted by what it described as unacceptable conduct by some agitated youths, whom it accused of showing disregard for constituted authorities and the office of the Vice President.

In the statement, Magaji alleged that the youths involved in the incident were suspected to have links with prominent political figures, specifically former Nasarawa State Governor and Senator, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, and former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu.

The government described the incident as an attempt to tarnish the image of the Nasarawa State Government and the people of the state, condemning what it characterised as reckless conduct during the Vice President’s visit to the traditional ruler.

The SSG consequently directed the DSS to immediately commence a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, with a mandate to establish its causes, identify those responsible and uncover individuals suspected of sponsoring or facilitating the actions of the youths.

The government further urged security agencies to ensure that anyone found culpable was brought to justice in accordance with the law, stressing that those responsible should face the appropriate legal consequences.

The development came against the backdrop of a separate disturbance at the APC presidential campaign rally at Lafia Square, where reports indicated that rival groups of party supporters clashed, leaving several people injured and others reportedly missing. Security operatives were said to have deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd and restore order.

Meanwhile, the Nasarawa State Government appealed to residents to remain calm, law-abiding and committed to peaceful coexistence as security agencies undertake investigations into the incidents. As of the time of filing this report, neither Al-Makura nor former IGP Adamu had publicly responded to the allegations, while security agencies had yet to announce the outcome of any investigation.