Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Odo‑Ere, Yagba West Local Government Area — Armed bandits have again struck in Kogi State, abducting four residents of the Odo‑Ere community in an incident that has alarmed local leaders and residents already on edge over rising insecurity in the region. Community reports indicate that the victims were seized near Fantasy Farm, close to the ECWA DCC premises in Odo‑Ere, located in the Yagba West area of the state, after gunmen allegedly stormed the vicinity and forced them into the bush under threat of violence.
The identities of the abducted individuals, as shared in local social media updates from Odo‑Ere community sources, include Engr. Shina Ajere, Kehinde Afolabi, Damiola Ogun and Iya Lara, reflecting the deep concern spreading through the community as families await news of their loved ones’ safety.
This latest kidnapping follows a series of similar abductions and violent incursions across Kogi West and neighbouring districts, where armed groups continue to target rural communities, travellers and gatherings for both ransom and to instil fear. Security analysts point out that forested and poorly policed areas in the state have become staging grounds for criminal elements who exploit difficult terrain and limited law‑enforcement reach.
The attack in Odo‑Ere comes amid a broader pattern of insecurity across the state, with recent days also seeing armed men abduct residents in Olle and Ihalé communities and other parts of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, illustrating the persistent threat faced by people living in these vulnerable areas.
Local residents expressed deep fear and frustration, highlighting that kidnappings have become increasingly frequent — often leaving families distraught and extorting heavy ransoms from relatives. Calls for enhanced deployment of security forces and intelligence‑led patrols have grown louder in the wake of the Odo‑Ere incident, as communities seek protection and swift action from state and federal authorities.
The Kogi State Police Command has not yet issued an official statement confirming the specifics of the Odo‑Ere abduction, but in similar incidents, police have often reiterated their commitment to rescuing victims and bringing perpetrators to justice. Residents and local leaders are hopeful that information flowing from the community will help security operatives to swiftly locate and secure the release of the four abducted residents.
The spate of kidnappings in Kogi State highlights the broader insecurity challenges affecting parts of central and north‑central Nigeria, where armed criminal gangs — variously described as bandits — continue to operate with relative impunity, prompting urgent calls for coordinated military, police and community responses to stem the tide of violence and protect civilians.
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