Gunmen have struck again in Kogi State, kidnapping nine individuals, including a newly elected councillor, in a late-night raid on Tuesday in the Odo-Ape community of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area.
This incident follows closely on the heels of an abduction just a week earlier, which saw three people, including an 8-year-old boy, taken from the same area.
The victims of the latest kidnapping include Hon. Alaba Ope, the councillor for Odo-Ape Ward in the Kabba/Bunu Legislative Council, and eight others, who were taken from their homes during the attack.
The gunmen reportedly arrived around 1 a.m. on Wednesday, firing shots indiscriminately before abducting their victims.
Sources from the community confirmed that the people of Odo-Ape are living in constant fear, with residents unsure who will be targeted next.
The source also noted that while seven of the victims were non-indigenes—five Gwaris and two Bassa—Hon. Ope was the only local among those taken.
Another individual, identified as Silas, was abducted from the neighboring Agbadu community.
This latest attack adds to a series of kidnappings in the region, with previous abductions including two brothers taken from their family land in Aluju, Kakun, and the three individuals, including the child, abducted last week from Odo-Ape.
All the victims from these recent kidnappings are still being held by the kidnappers.
While the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Anya, has yet to respond to inquiries about the incident, a senior government security official confirmed the report.
The official stated that security forces are already investigating the case and taking steps to secure the release of the abducted victims.
The government reassured the public that they are actively addressing the situation and urged citizens to remain calm and continue with their daily activities.
