Fresh Abductions Rock Kogi As Gunmen Strike Yagba West Communities

Several persons have reportedly been abducted by suspected gunmen along the Omi-Odo Ara Road in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.

According to SaharaReporters, sources confirmed that the incident occurred on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, but the exact number of victims and their identities had yet to be confirmed as of the time of filing this report.

Residents said security agencies had been alerted following the incident, while people living in surrounding communities were advised to exercise extreme caution, avoid unnecessary movement and promptly report any suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities.

Naija News reports that the fresh incident came barely a day after tension was reported in the Odo-Ere community in the same local government area following a coordinated attack by terrorists on Sunday night.

During the raid, at least four residents were reportedly abducted by the assailants. Those kidnapped were identified as Engr. Shina Ajere, Mr Kehinde Afolabi, Damilola Ogun, and a woman popularly known in the community as Iya Lara.

According to findings, the attackers, believed to be heavily armed, stormed the community late at night and reportedly moved from house to house, firing sporadically and causing panic among residents.

Residents described the attack as chaotic and terrifying, saying the sound of gunfire echoed across the community for several minutes.

A community platform, Egbe Mekun, disclosed that another apartment was also targeted during the attack. The building was said to have visible gunshot marks, with a bullet reportedly penetrating the house.

However, the assailants were unsuccessful in gaining access to the apartment.

Despite the identification of four abducted residents, locals said the total number of victims remained unclear, fuelling fears that more people may have been taken away by the gunmen during the operation.

Following the attacks, residents of Odo-Ere and neighbouring communities called on security agencies and the Kogi State Government to urgently deploy more security personnel to the area.

They also appealed for intensified efforts to secure the release of those abducted and to prevent further attacks in the area.

Odo-Ere and other communities in Yagba West Local Government Area have, in recent times, witnessed repeated attacks by armed groups, raising concerns over worsening insecurity and the vulnerability of rural settlements in Kogi State.

The incidents are coming amid a spate of abductions across parts of Kogi State. On Sunday, SaharaReporters reported that a pastor of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, popularly known as Winners’ Chapel, was kidnapped by armed bandits while heading to his farm in Okoro Gbedde, Ijumu Local Government Area.

The cleric was later released unharmed after spending several days in captivity.

It was reported that he was found in Aiyetoro Gbedde, also in Ijumu Local Government Area, where he was reportedly abandoned by his abductors.

A local community platform, Egbe Mekun, claimed that no ransom was paid for the pastor’s release.

Residents across affected communities have continued to express fear and frustration, urging authorities to take decisive steps to curb the rising wave of abductions in the state.