Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Tragedy has struck the Egbe community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State after a local man identified as Agba was killed by armed bandits despite the full payment of ransom intended to secure the release of a kidnapped victim. The incident reflects growing concerns over the dangers faced by residents and those involved in ransom negotiations amid persistent banditry in the central region of Nigeria.
According to eyewitness accounts and community reports, Agba was one of two individuals delegated by his community to deliver ransom items to the kidnappers holding Mabe, who had been abducted along the Egbe–Ogbe Road on December 16, 2025. Prior to the delivery, the kidnappers and the victim’s relatives had engaged in negotiations and agreed on specific demands to secure Mabe’s release.
Sources close to the matter confirmed that the bandits collected a Bajaj motorcycle, a brand-new Samsung phone, and in excess of ₦1 million in cash as the agreed ransom, fulfilling all the conditions set for Mabe’s freedom. Despite this compliance and the subsequent release of Mabe on December 27, 2025, the outcome for Agba and his fellow ransom bearer was far more grim.
Reports indicate that while one of the two community representatives was freed following the transaction, Agba was cruelly executed after allegedly attempting to escape from the bandits’ custody. Community sources and local platforms in the area described the killing as a brutal betrayal, deepening anxiety among residents who had hoped the ransom payment would avert further bloodshed.
The killing has sparked a wave of sorrow and outrage in Egbe and neighbouring communities, where residents already endure frequent attacks, kidnappings, and ransom-driven criminality. Many locals lamented the incident as yet another stark reminder of the unpredictable and often merciless nature of bandit operations in the region, even in situations where negotiations appear to be successful.
Kogi State has witnessed a surge in banditry, kidnappings, and related security challenges over recent months, with armed groups increasingly targeting rural roads and communities for ambushes and abductions. In some instances, victims have been freed after ransom payments or security interventions, but in others, negotiations have led to protracted captivity, further violence, and tragic deaths, as seen in Agba’s case.
The killing has once again reignited discussions on the complex and perilous dynamics of ransom negotiations in Nigeria. Security experts and local leaders have long warned that paying ransom, while often viewed as the quickest way to secure the release of abducted relatives, can fuel criminal networks by providing them with financial resources to sustain and expand their operations. Moreover, incidents in which victims or those delivering ransom payments are harmed despite compliance with kidnappers’ demands underscore the risks inherent in such arrangements.
Community stakeholders in Egbe have appealed to state and federal security agencies to intensify efforts to protect vulnerable populations, particularly those living along high-risk corridors such as the Egbe–Ogbe Road. They insist that stronger security presence, improved intelligence gathering and coordinated patrols are urgently needed to deter kidnappers and prevent further tragedies.
Family members of Agba and other affected residents have also called for justice and greater accountability, demanding that security forces pursue the perpetrators and hold them to account for the senseless killing. In heartfelt statements, many mourners expressed grief not only for the loss of a loved one, but for the broader climate of fear that has engulfed their communities due to frequent bandit activity.
The incident serves as a sombre reminder of the persistent insecurity in parts of Kogi State and the broader central and north-central regions of Nigeria. Despite ongoing efforts by security forces to combat kidnapping and banditry, the resilience and adaptability of criminal gangs continue to challenge authorities and strain the capacity of local communities to protect themselves.
As families continue to grieve and demand action, residents of Egbe remain hopeful that intensified security measures and community cooperation can eventually stem the tide of violence and ransom-driven crimes that have cast a long shadow over daily life in their once-peaceful town.
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