Terrorists on Saturday launched a fresh attack along the Isanlu Makutu–Idofin highway in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State, sending residents and travellers into panic.
Eyewitnesses said the gunmen struck suddenly in the afternoon, forcing people in the vicinity to flee for safety.
The exact number of abducted victims is still unknown as information from the scene remains sketchy. Communities around the highway have reportedly gone into lockdown, while travellers are diverting to alternate routes to avoid the area. Security agencies have been notified and have begun mobilising to the scene.
This latest attack comes shortly after a major incident in Kogi, where 21 passengers, including women and a nine-day-old baby, were rescued following an ambush by armed bandits. During that earlier assault, a soldier and a vigilante were killed in a gun battle with the attackers.
In the previous attack, about 100 armed men targeted multiple vehicles, including a Toyota Sienna travelling from Oshogbo to Kaduna; two Toyota Hiace buses heading to Abuja and Ekiti; a Toyota Carina bound for Kabba; a Dangote cement truck; and a J5 bus transporting pepper. Passengers were forced to flee into surrounding bushes as the gunmen attempted mass abductions.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama confirmed that a combined team of the Nigerian Army, Quick Response Unit, NSCDC personnel, local vigilantes, and hunters responded promptly and rescued 21 passengers.
Those freed included Moses Oladimeji, Adele Jacob, Obed Onche, Babayemi Ajayi, Funmilayo Ajayi, Samuel Olawoyin, Samuel Job, Jemima Joseph, Nanko Joseph, Enenche Paulina, Bright Enenche, Rachael Enenche, nine-day-old Deborah Enenche, Bukola Clement, Toyin Clement, Glory Clement, Faith Clement, Peter Olawale, and the drivers of both the Dangote truck and the J5 bus.
The soldier from the Oshokoshoko sector and the vigilante from Odoape who lost their lives in the operation are yet to be officially identified.
