Suspected gunmen have kidnapped a local government councillor and eight other individuals in a brazen attack in Kogi State. The incident occurred late Monday evening along the Itobe–Ajaokuta road, a notorious route for criminal activities.
According to eyewitnesses, the victims were traveling in a commercial vehicle when the assailants ambushed them. The gunmen reportedly fired sporadically to force the vehicle to stop before whisking the passengers into a nearby forest.
Among the abducted is a councillor from the Ajaokuta Local Government Area, whose identity has been withheld for security reasons. The identities of the other victims remain unconfirmed as authorities work to gather more information.
Local residents have expressed growing concerns over the surge in kidnappings in the area, calling for immediate government intervention. “This road has become a danger zone. We can’t travel without fear of being attacked,” lamented a resident who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The Kogi State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that a search-and-rescue operation is underway. Police spokesperson William Aya assured the public that security agencies are making concerted efforts to apprehend the culprits and secure the victims’ release. “We are working tirelessly with vigilante groups and local hunters to track the kidnappers and ensure the safe return of the abductees,” he said.
The incident adds to the growing insecurity in Kogi State, a region that has witnessed several cases of kidnapping and armed robbery in recent months. Local authorities have pledged to intensify security patrols along major highways to curb such occurrences.
As of the time of filing this report, the kidnappers had not made any contact or demanded ransom, heightening anxiety among families of the victims.
Residents and community leaders have called on the state and federal governments to deploy more security personnel and resources to tackle the escalating wave of criminal activities in the state.
