Suspected bandits have abducted more than 25 persons and killed one resident during a coordinated attack on Ayegunle-Igun Community in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Arise News gathered that the heavily armed assailants, who reportedly operated in a commando-style manner, stormed the community in the early hours of Monday, unleashing terror on residents. During the operation, one resident was shot dead while attempting to escape, while several others sustained injuries before the attackers whisked their victims into a nearby forest.

A resident whose two siblings were among those kidnapped recounted the ordeal, saying the attackers invaded the community between 2:30 a.m. and 3:00 a.m.

“They came to our house around 2:30 a.m. Some of our neighbours had left their windows open, and the gunmen gained entry through them. They made repeated attempts to force open doors in the area. I managed to escape, and they did not shoot at me.

“They abducted my brother and sister, although one person managed to escape. The attackers fired sporadically as they moved through the community. On their way out, they intercepted buses travelling overnight, abducted additional passengers and injured several people. More than 25 persons were taken away, while others were hit by stray bullets,” the resident said.

The traditional ruler of the community, His Royal Highness, Oba Sunday Omodamori, confirmed the incident during a telephone interview on Monday with Arise News.

According to the monarch, the kidnappers arrived in large numbers and strategically positioned themselves across the community before carrying out the operation.

“The kidnappers invaded the community in large numbers and spread themselves across different locations. They even entered my residence as the traditional ruler of the community.

“I had two boys in the house. One managed to escape, but the other was abducted. They also carted away some valuables from my residence. They moved from house to house across the community.

“One of the victims is a teacher who was due to retire next month. He was abducted alongside a Hausa resident. When the man attempted to escape, the kidnappers shot him dead,” the monarch said.

Oba Omodamori further disclosed that the attackers intercepted two passenger buses along the highway, forcing travellers out of the vehicles before leading them into the forest alongside residents of the community.

“They stopped two buses on the main road, ordered the passengers to disembark and marched them into the forest. I cannot state the exact number of passengers abducted, but many people from the community were taken away,” he added.

As of the time of filing this report, the Kogi State Police Command and other security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on the incident. (Arise News)

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