Residents of Ayegunle Bunu in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State were thrown into panic in the early hours of Sunday after heavily armed bandits stormed the community, killing one person and whisking away dozens of residents and travellers.
The attackers, who reportedly invaded the area around 2:25 a.m., unleashed terror on the otherwise peaceful community, forcing many residents to flee for safety. During the operation, a man and his wife were among those abducted, while at least 30 other victims were reportedly taken away at gunpoint.
Sources in the community said the assailants extended their operation beyond the town, mounting roadblocks along nearby highways where they intercepted commercial vehicles and abducted passengers.
Although the exact number of people kidnapped remains unclear, local accounts indicate that both residents and travellers fell victim to the coordinated attack. Several others were also said to have sustained injuries while attempting to escape the gunmen.
The latest incident adds to growing concerns over insecurity in parts of Kogi State, where communities continue to grapple with attacks by criminal gangs despite ongoing security efforts.
As of the time of filing this report, the Kogi State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident. Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Oyiza Saliu, for confirmation were unsuccessful.