LA yet-to-be-determined number of people have reportedly been abducted after suspected bandits launched a brazen attack on the Omi-Ara community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, according to residents, although the exact number of victims and their identities had not been confirmed.
Residents said security agencies had been alerted, but the state police command had yet to issue a statement.
Repeated calls to the state Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent (CSP) William Aya, went unanswered, and text messages sent to him had not been responded to at the time of filing this report.
The PUNCH previously reported that the Yagba axis had been a hotspot for kidnappings in recent months.
Between August and November, two churches, a Cherubim and Seraphim church and an ECWA church, were attacked, resulting in the abduction of a pastor and his wife.
In a similar incident in the local government area, the Odo-Ere community was attacked on Sunday night, with at least four residents abducted.
Those kidnapped during the raid were identified as Shina Ajere, Mr Kehinde Afolabi, Damilola Ogun, and a woman known in the community as Iya Lara.
Residents said the total number of victims abducted in Tuesday’s attack remained unclear.
They described the incident as chaotic and terrifying, with the sound of gunfire echoing across the community.
Community members called on security agencies and the Kogi State Government to urgently deploy additional personnel and intensify efforts to secure the release of those abducted.
