For the third time in seven days, gunmen have attacked Okoloke, an agrarian community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, abducting four persons.
The latest incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday when an unidentified number of armed men stormed the area.
According to a local source, the assailants forced their way into the residence of Ezekiel Durojaiye, a retiree and respected community leader in nearby Okunran village.
The attackers abducted Pa Durojaiye along with three others, whisking them away into the bush at gunpoint. The incident has further heightened fear and tension among residents.
Yagba West has recently become a hotspot for abductions. Last Thursday, gunmen kidnapped Oba James Dada Ogunyamda, the traditional ruler of the village.
Three days after the abduction of the monarch, two vigilante members and one other person were also abducted.
The latest attack brings the number of kidnapped individuals from the same community to eight in one week.
The kidnappers of the 90-year-old monarch reportedly demanded a ransom of N100 million, which was later negotiated down to N50 million. His family has since appealed to the government, organizations, and the public for assistance in raising the funds.
Despite assurances from Yagba West Local Government Chairman, Tosin Olokun, and the Kogi State Police Command regarding ongoing rescue efforts, there have been no confirmed successes in securing the release of the abducted victims.
On Monday, the Kogi State Police Command said its operatives attached to the Obajana Division, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army and Fulani vigilantes, rescued three kidnapped victims during a coordinated raid on Ankomi Forest of the state.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Kogi State Command, William Aya, the victims were rescued unhurt following a gun duel between the joint security team and the kidnappers.
He said the criminals, overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the operatives, abandoned their captives and fled into the bush with gunshot injuries.
