Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
A lecturer from the Federal College of Education (FCE), Okene, was abducted by gunmen on Friday, January 9, 2026, during a violent attack on commuters along the Kabba–Okene Road in Kogi State, intensifying fears over deteriorating security along the once-busy transport route. The incident has again focused attention on a growing pattern of highway kidnappings and armed assaults that have left residents, students, travelers and communities on edge.
According to initial reports, armed assailants ambushed motorists along the corridor on Friday, targeting multiple vehicles and passengers. While soldiers from the Nigerian Army stationed in Kabba reportedly responded swiftly and rescued several victims, the lecturer — whose identity has not yet been officially released — was forcibly taken by the kidnappers and remains in captivity.
The Kabba–Okene Road, an important link connecting central and northern Nigeria, has in recent years become notorious for frequent armed attacks, kidnappings and other violent crimes. Security analysts and local residents say that despite the presence of military and police checkpoints, criminal networks continue to exploit gang violence and gaps in patrol coverage to launch ambushes.
Community members, students and motorists who regularly use the highway have expressed deep alarm over the latest attack. Many described renewed anxiety about travel, with some considering alternative and longer routes to avoid the threat of abduction or assault. Local road users called on both the Kogi State Government and the Federal Government to urgently bolster security along key highways and implement effective strategies to protect travelers and curb the proliferation of kidnapping rings.
The kidnapping of the FCE lecturer follows a string of similar incidents across Kogi State. Only two months earlier, on November 10, 2025, armed men attacked a commercial bus on the same highway, abducting several passengers after opening fire and resorting to machetes when bullets failed to penetrate the vehicle. That attack underscored how dangerous travel along the route has become, even under daylight conditions.
Security challenges along major highways are not limited to the Kabba–Okene corridor. In other parts of Kogi State in recent months, banditry and kidnappings have targeted communities, religious gatherings and motorists. In Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area, gunmen reportedly attacked a church, abducting a pastor, his wife and worshippers, highlighting the pervasive insecurity affecting both rural and transit areas.
The cumulative effect of these incidents has intensified calls for a comprehensive and sustained government response, as community leaders emphasise that sporadic military intervention and temporary checkpoints are not sufficient. Residents have urged improved intelligence gathering, better coordination among security agencies, enhanced highway patrols, and stronger engagement with local populations to disrupt criminal networks and secure key transport arteries.
Kogi State authorities have previously acknowledged the threats posed by armed groups and have pledged to strengthen security responses. However, repeated attacks along the same road have left many questioning the effectiveness of existing measures and demanding immediate action to prevent further kidnappings and save lives.
As of this report, the lecturer remains in captivity, and efforts by security forces to locate and rescue him are ongoing. Families of victims and communities along the route continue to appeal to authorities to intensify patrols and protect civilians against the escalating menace of highway banditry.
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