Kogi: Kidnappers’ raid of community in Kabba Bunu LG leaves fear among residents

Fresh kidnap incident has been reported in Iluke community in Bunu District, Kabba Bunu Local Government Area in the Western Senatorial District of Kogi State.

Gunmen were said to have stormed the village at about 1.00am on Thursday and abducted a community health worker known as “Dr. Ebi,” popularly called Omo Kemuna with his wife and many others.

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The invaders who were fully armed to the teeth engaged in sporadic shooting before whisking away their targets on motorbikes into a nearby forest.

Residents said the incident has thrown the once peaceful community into fear and uncertainty, with neighbouring communities in Mopamuro and Ijumu Local Government Areas also expressing concern over the worsening security situation across the axis.

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Residents remain disturbed as they least expected the kidnap incident.
CAPITAL POST reports that Kogi West Senatorial District has been under siege of kidnappers and bandits for quite sometime, thereby defying concerted efforts of government through security agents and local vigilante to curtail the menace.

Recently kidnappers struck travellers along the Iluke–Oferre Road, abducting a commercial driver identified simply as Jacob after intercepting his vehicle. Family members later disclosed that the kidnappers demanded ₦50 million ransom for his release.

In another incident on April 16, gunmen abducted members of the family of the traditional ruler of Odai community, including two wives, two children, and an aide. Sources alleged that the kidnappers demanded ₦150 million and later killed two of the monarch’s children after delays in ransom negotiations.

The development has heightened anxiety among residents, many of whom now fear that criminal gangs are gaining stronger footholds within the area.

As of the time of filing this report, the Kogi State Police Command had yet to release an official statement on the latest abduction.

Police spokesperson ASP Saliu Afuzat Oyiza reportedly said details of the incident were still being gathered.

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