Suspected bandits have reportedly abducted an unspecified number of people during a violent attack on Omi-Ara community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Residents said the attack happened in the early hours of Tuesday, throwing the community into panic. As of the time of this report, the exact number of victims and their identities had not been confirmed.
Community sources disclosed that security agencies were alerted shortly after the incident, but the Kogi State Police Command had yet to release an official statement. Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP William Aya, were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages sent to him were not returned.
The Yagba axis has witnessed a surge in kidnapping incidents in recent months. Between August and November, gunmen attacked two churches in the area — a Cherubim and Seraphim church and an ECWA church — abducting a pastor and his wife.
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In another related incident, the nearby Odo-Ere community was attacked on Sunday night, during which at least four residents were kidnapped. Those taken were identified as Shina Ajere, Kehinde Afolabi, Damilola Ogun, and a woman popularly known as Iya Lara.
Residents described Tuesday’s attack as terrifying, saying gunshots rang out across the community, creating chaos and fear. They added that the total number of people abducted remains unclear.
Community leaders have called on security agencies and the Kogi State Government to urgently deploy more personnel to the area and intensify efforts to secure the release of those abducted.
