Terrorists strike in Kogi again:11 abducted, 7 escape

By Ologeh Joseph Chibu

Terrorists have again struck in Kogi State.

The armed men abducted nine passengers at Ogbabo Junction along the Itobe–Anyigba Road in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Armed gangs have been operating in Kwara and Kogi States which experts claim pose a major threat to the South West hinterland.

“If they take Kogi and Kwara, the South West states will be their main targets. They seem to have renewed their plot,” an official of Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements, (AYDM) in Kogi State, Kunle Bakare told Irohinoodua.

The incident occurred at about 4:20 p.m. on Friday when the assailants intercepted a commercial Hummer bus belonging to a transport company.

The bus was heading towards the Eastern Nigeria

Eyewitnesses said the gunmen emerged suddenly and opened fire, forcing the bus to stop. The driver, identified as Sunday Okechi, and six passengers managed to flee into the nearby bush, while nine others were seized.

Locals told Irohinoodua that the abducted were taken into the forest.

Sources noted that the attack took place roughly 300 metres from a military checkpoint along the Ogbabo–Ochadamu Road. Security personnel later arrived at the scene, where they recovered the abandoned bus with registration number ENZ-55 XS and a blue Toyota Carina ‘E’. Both vehicles were taken into protective custody.

The Kogi State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that security agencies, in collaboration with members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and local hunters, had launched a search-and-rescue operation.

“Yes, we are in touch with our men. The Command is making efforts in collaboration with the military, vigilantes and hunters to rescue the victims and arrest the criminals,” police spokesperson SP William Aya said.