Residents of Okoloke community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State were thrown into panic early Friday morning after suspected bandits stormed the area and abducted two people during a raid.
Sources in the community said the victims, both members of the Hausa community, were taken away by the heavily armed attackers who invaded the settlement in the early hours of the day.
Local reports indicate that soldiers stationed around Okoloke quickly responded to the incident and engaged the gunmen in a fierce gun battle shortly after the abduction occurred. However, despite the swift intervention by security operatives, the attackers reportedly fled into nearby bushes with the kidnapped victims.
The incident adds to the growing wave of insecurity troubling communities across Yagba West in recent days.
Between March 1 and March 5, several violent attacks were reported in different parts of the local government area. In Bareke community in Egbe, a resident identified as Juwon Ajisafe was shot during an attack and later confirmed dead.
Farmers in the area have also been repeatedly targeted by armed groups while travelling to their farmlands, with reports of abductions along rural roads and farm routes.
Just a day before the Okoloke attack, on March 5, a Tiv community leader identified as Awuku was kidnapped while working on his farm at the Aru farm settlement near Egbe, further deepening fears among residents.
The continuous attacks have sparked anger among locals. In Egbe, frustrated youths recently staged a protest by blocking a federal road, demanding urgent government intervention over the worsening security situation in Yagba West.
Community members are now calling on the Kogi State Government and security agencies to intensify security operations in the affected areas and ensure the safe rescue of those abducted.
Reporting for SUNTV Global Channel.
