Gunmen abduct six in Kogi community, residents desert homes

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted six people, including a timber contractor, following an attack on Ayetoro-Kiri community in Bunu district of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, Kogi State.
The attackers, who stormed the community on Thursday afternoon riding on motorcycles, reportedly fired shots indiscriminately, sending residents fleeing into the bush.

Among those abducted are a timber contractor identified as Enoch Johnson, an elder named Maiye, a community secondary school security guard, a young girl named Dupe Oshe, Kehinde Lot, Tope Olorunshe, and another individual whose identity remains unconfirmed.

Witnesses say the assailants first targeted the community’s only mobile phone charging shop, stealing over 50 phones before carrying out the abductions.

“Suddenly, we heard series of gunshots. At first, we thought it was security operatives on a mission. However, upon investigation, we realised it was an attack. We saw people fleeing from the area near the charging shop,”; recounted Oluwatoyin Emmanuel, a resident.

The incident has left the community in disarray, with reports indicating that many residents have deserted their homes. Some have taken refuge with relatives in neighbouring communities, while others remain in hiding due to fear of further attacks.

National President of the Aiyetoro-Kiri Development Association, Engineer Tolufashe Olusegun, described the incident as one too many, lamenting the insecurity plaguing Bunu land.

“Our people can no longer access their farmlands and now live in constant fear due to repeated attacks by armed groups. The situation is becoming unbearable,”; Olusegun said.

The spate of attacks has heightened concerns over safety in Kogi State’s rural areas, with locals urging security agencies to intensify patrols and deploy additional personnel.