At least nine people, including a mother and her three children, were abducted in the early hours of Friday after armed men invaded Inele-Ugoh village in the Igah Ikeje community of Olamaboro Local Government Area, Kogi State.
According to residents, more than 40 gunmen stormed the rural settlement before dawn, overwhelming the area and forcing villagers to flee for safety. The woman and her children were reportedly intercepted while travelling to a nearby community to attend a burial ceremony and were taken into the surrounding forest.
In the same operation, five other individuals were abducted from their farmlands, bringing the total number of victims to nine.
Overpowered Vigilantes
An eyewitness said local vigilante operatives were unable to confront the attackers due to their large number and the sophisticated weapons they carried.
“They were too many and heavily armed. The vigilantes had no option but to retreat,” the source said.
Delayed Military Response
Following the raid, distress calls were placed to troops of the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade stationed at a checkpoint in the area. Although soldiers later moved into the community, the abductors had already escaped into nearby forests.
Security operatives, working alongside local vigilante groups, have since launched search operations in surrounding bush paths believed to be used by the kidnappers.
Call for Aerial Surveillance
Community security sources expressed concern that ground patrols alone may not be sufficient to rescue the victims. They warned that the criminal group is known for moving captives frequently to evade detection.
“These bandits operate in large numbers and constantly relocate their victims. Without aerial surveillance such as drones or helicopters, it will be difficult to track them,” a community police source said, adding that fear and tension have gripped residents as the festive season approaches.
Rising Insecurity in Kogi East
Members of the Kogi East Neighbourhood Watch confirmed an increase in kidnapping incidents across Olamaboro and neighbouring communities, alleging that armed groups are infiltrating the area from nearby states.
A resident described the attackers as bold and relentless, operating both during the day and at night, and urged both the state and federal governments to deploy more security personnel and provide air support to curb the growing threat.
Official Reaction
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain confirmation or an official statement from the Kogi State Police Command were unsuccessful, as calls to the police spokesperson went unanswered.
The abduction adds to ongoing security concerns in parts of Kogi State, where residents continue to call for stronger protection of rural communities.
Source:Africa Publicity
