Gunmen Kidnap Nine, Including Woman, Three Children, in Kogi Village

Gunmen Kidnap Nine, Including Woman, Three Children, in Kogi Village

At least nine persons, including a woman and her three children, were on Friday kidnapped by gunmen who invaded Inele-Ugoh village in the Igah Ikeje community, Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State.

According to eyewitness accounts, over 40 armed men stormed the village in the early hours of Friday, spreading fear among residents. The woman and her children were reportedly on their way to a neighbouring community to attend a burial ceremony when they were intercepted and forcefully taken into the surrounding bush.

Five additional victims were said to have been abducted from their farmlands during the same operation.

An eyewitness said the sheer number of the attackers and the sophisticated weapons they carried overwhelmed local vigilante groups, preventing any resistance.

Following the attack, residents reportedly sent distress calls to troops of the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade stationed at a nearby checkpoint. However, by the time the soldiers arrived, the kidnappers had already escaped into the forest.

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Although soldiers and vigilantes have commenced a search of nearby woodlands, villagers expressed fears that the abductors may evade capture without aerial surveillance.

A neighbourhood police source said the kidnapping syndicate operates in large numbers and frequently relocates its captives.

“These bandits move in large groups, sometimes up to 200, and often split into smaller units. They do not remain in one location but keep moving their hostages,” the source said.

“Ground operations alone may not succeed without drones or police helicopters from Lokoja. Without aerial support, these criminals may continue to terrorise communities, especially during the festive period,” the source added.

Members of the Kogi East Neighbourhood Watch also confirmed a recent surge in kidnapping incidents in Olamaboro communities, alleging that the gunmen infiltrate the area from neighbouring states.

Another resident described the attackers as bold and relentless, operating both day and night, and called on both the state and federal governments to deploy more security personnel and provide aerial intelligence support to curb the growing insecurity in the area.

Gunmen Kidnap Nine, Including Woman, Three Children, in Kogi Village