Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Security officials and community sources report a deadly overnight raid by suspected bandits on the Olle community in the Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, central Nigeria, marking one of the most violent security incidents in the region in recent weeks. The assault, which occurred on Friday afternoon and evening, left at least two people dead and saw several community members abducted, according to local accounts. The toll of the abducted remains unclear as authorities continue efforts to account for missing residents.
Eyewitnesses described the assailants as heavily armed gunmen who attacked without warning, targeting homes and isolated compounds on the outskirts of Olle. Villagers said the attack sparked panic as women, children, and elderly residents fled into surrounding bushland for safety. Some of those abducted were taken away on motorcycles, a common tactic in raids across north-central Nigeria.
The violence in Olle comes amid a broader uptick in banditry in Kogi’s Kabba-Bunu district, where multiple communities have recently come under assault by criminal gangs. Earlier this month, gunmen stormed the First Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in the nearby Àaaaz-Kiri area during a Sunday service, killing at least one worshipper and abducting numerous parishioners, including men, women, and children.
Community leaders said residents resisted the Olle attack, resulting in violent clashes that left at least two villagers dead. The identities of the deceased have not yet been publicly disclosed. In response to the raid, traditional rulers, youth groups, and local hunters mobilised to push back the attackers and escort vulnerable villagers to safer areas within and beyond Olle.
The chairman of Kabba-Bunu Local Government, Barrister Zaccheus Dare, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and the trauma inflicted on the Olle community. In a statement, he condemned the violence and reiterated the local government’s commitment to working closely with state and federal security agencies to secure the release of the abductees and protect remaining residents. Dare emphasised that improving security coordination remains a top priority and pledged stronger action against the perpetrators.
Kogi State’s security architecture has been under strain as criminal groups displaced from neighbouring states such as Niger and Kwara exploit unguarded corridors to launch attacks. Authorities say these cross-border movements have complicated efforts to contain violence and protect rural communities.
In recent weeks, a series of related attacks have underscored the growing insecurity in the region. In Ayetoro Kiri, another community within Kabba-Bunu LGA, an earlier raid by suspected bandits resulted in a fierce gun battle with local hunters. Officials reported that several attackers were killed in that clash, but at least thirteen residents were abducted, with security forces actively pursuing the assailants in the forested areas surrounding the community.
The State Government has deployed troops from the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade, the Nigeria Police Force, and other tactical units to reinforce vulnerable areas and support ongoing operations. Intelligence units, including the Department of State Services, are also involved in tracking criminal cells and gathering actionable information to facilitate rescue efforts and prevent further incursions.
Local hunters and vigilante groups, often the first line of defence for rural communities, have played a crucial role in resisting attacks and providing early warnings. Their engagement in armed confrontations with bandits in both Olle and Ayetoro Kiri has been lauded by residents, though the lack of sophisticated equipment and training compared with security forces poses ongoing risks to these volunteers.
The surge in banditry has prompted urgent calls from community groups and civil society for a comprehensive and sustained security strategy that goes beyond reactive deployments. Advocates argue for enhanced intelligence sharing, increased aerial surveillance, and strengthened community policing structures to prevent criminal elements from exploiting gaps in law enforcement coverage.
Analysts say the trend in Kabba-Bunu mirrors wider patterns of insecurity across north-central and north-western Nigeria, where armed groups have increasingly targeted soft targets, including religious institutions, schools, and marketplaces. The ripple effects of these attacks have heightened fear among civilians, discouraged economic activity, and strained local governance capacities.
Residents of Olle and neighbouring communities are now calling for urgent humanitarian support as they grapple with displacement, loss of livelihoods, and the psychological impact of the violence. Traditional leaders are also urging families whose members were taken hostage to remain calm, assuring them that efforts to secure their release are ongoing.
In his remarks, the local government chairman appealed to youths to avoid vigilantism and instead cooperate with security agencies. He emphasised that coordinated action and credible intelligence are critical to dismantling criminal networks operating in the region. Authorities continue to urge villagers to report suspicious activity and to use official security channels to reduce the risk of further attacks.
As the situation develops, the immediate focus for government officials and security forces remains the safe recovery of the abducted and the restoration of confidence among residents who have endured repeated cycles of violence. Meanwhile, displaced families from Olle and surrounding areas are seeking refuge in safer towns within Kogi and beyond, highlighting the broader humanitarian consequences of the persistent insecurity in the region.
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