Gunmen have abducted a community health worker identified as “Dr. Ebi,” popularly known in the area as Omo Kemuna, alongside his wife and several other residents during a midnight raid on Iluke community in the Bunu District of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The attack reportedly occurred around 1:00 a.m. on Thursday, when heavily armed men stormed the community, firing sporadically before whisking their victims away on motorcycles into a nearby forest.
Residents said the incident has thrown the once peaceful community into fear and uncertainty, with neighbouring communities in Mopamuro and Ijumu local government areas also expressing concern over the worsening security situation across the axis.
Locals described the abduction as one of the most disturbing security breaches recorded in Iluke in recent times.
The latest incident comes amid a growing wave of attacks in Bunu District and surrounding communities. Earlier this month, suspected bandits reportedly attacked travellers along the Iluke–Oferre Road, abducting a commercial driver identified simply as Jacob after intercepting his vehicle. Family members later disclosed that the kidnappers demanded ₦50 million ransom for his release.
In another incident on April 16, gunmen abducted members of the family of the traditional ruler of Odai community, including two wives, two children, and an aide. Sources alleged that the kidnappers demanded ₦150 million and later killed two of the monarch’s children after delays in ransom negotiations.
The development has heightened anxiety among residents, many of whom now fear that criminal gangs are gaining stronger footholds within the area.
As of the time of filing this report, the Kogi State Police Command had yet to release an official statement on the latest abduction. Police spokesperson ASP Saliu Afuzat Oyiza reportedly said details of the incident were still being gathered.