Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Three residents of Taki community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State have remained in the custody of kidnappers for one month following their abduction along the Ihale–Taki Road, a development that has intensified fear, anger, and calls for urgent security intervention across Okunland. The victims, identified as Eniojukan Samuel, Eniojukan Bunmi, and Ekomitan Mary, are members of the same family, a detail that has deepened concern and emotional distress within the community.
The abduction occurred along the Ihale–Taki axis, a rural road increasingly described by residents as unsafe and poorly secured. According to community sources, the victims were traveling when they were intercepted by armed men who forced them into the bush and disappeared without a trace. Since then, relatives and community leaders say there has been no confirmed breakthrough leading to their release, despite the passage of weeks and the involvement of security agencies.
Sources familiar with the case disclosed that the kidnappers are demanding a ransom of twenty million naira for the release of the three family members. Negotiations, if any, have remained largely out of public view, and authorities have not provided official confirmation of progress. The prolonged captivity has heightened anxiety among residents, who fear for the safety and wellbeing of the victims as time drags on.
For the people of Taki, the incident has reopened painful memories of previous kidnappings and violent crimes in the wider Okun area. Community leaders say the Ihale–Taki Road has become a hotspot for criminal activity, with commuters frequently reporting suspicious movements and abandoned stretches that make ambushes easy. Many residents now avoid traveling on the road unless absolutely necessary, especially during early morning or evening hours.
Family members of the abducted victims have described the past month as agonising. A relative, speaking in confidence, said the family has been living in constant fear and uncertainty, torn between the desire to see their loved ones freed and the harsh reality of the ransom demand. “It is not just about money,” the source said. “We are worried about their lives. Every day without news feels like a year.”
The fact that all three victims belong to the same family has added a troubling dimension to the case. Community elders note that such targeted abductions strike at the social fabric of rural communities, where families are closely knit and the loss or suffering of one household reverberates widely. In Taki, prayers, informal vigils, and community meetings have become frequent as residents seek hope and reassurance.
Local leaders in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area have renewed calls for stronger security presence along the Ihale–Taki corridor. They argue that sporadic patrols and reactive measures are no longer sufficient, urging authorities to deploy permanent security checkpoints and improve intelligence gathering in forested areas surrounding the road. According to them, kidnappers have taken advantage of difficult terrain and limited surveillance to operate with relative impunity.
The incident adds to a growing list of kidnapping cases in Okunland, a region that has increasingly found itself grappling with crimes once considered rare in the area. Farmers, traders, students, and commuters have all been affected in recent years, prompting questions about response time, coordination among security agencies, and the broader safety of rural communities in Kogi State.
Security analysts say the situation reflects a wider national challenge, where criminal groups exploit isolated roads and economic hardship to carry out abductions for ransom. In Kogi, the mix of dense forests, interconnecting rural routes, and limited infrastructure has created conditions that criminals can easily exploit. Analysts warn that without sustained intervention, such areas risk becoming entrenched kidnapping corridors.
Residents have also expressed frustration over what they perceive as slow or opaque communication from authorities. While acknowledging that security operations often require discretion, community members say regular updates would help reassure the public and counter rumours that fuel panic. Some fear that silence breeds distrust and leaves communities feeling abandoned.
The Kogi State government has, in previous instances, pledged to tackle insecurity through joint operations involving the police, military, and local vigilante groups. Officials have highlighted arrests and rescue efforts in other parts of the state, but communities like Taki argue that more needs to be done to prevent crimes before they occur. They stress that the cost of inaction is measured not only in ransom demands but in trauma, disrupted livelihoods, and eroded confidence in public safety.
For now, life in Taki continues under a cloud of anxiety. Market activities are subdued, and travel patterns have changed as residents adjust to perceived risks. Parents worry about children commuting to school, while farmers express concern about accessing distant farmlands. The kidnapping has become a constant topic of conversation, shaping daily decisions and reinforcing a sense of vulnerability.
Civil society groups in Okunland have begun advocating for community-based security initiatives alongside formal policing. They argue that local knowledge, when effectively integrated with official security structures, can improve early warning systems and deter criminal activity. However, they caution that such efforts require proper regulation and support to avoid abuse or vigilantism.
As the one-month mark passes, the fate of Eniojukan Samuel, Eniojukan Bunmi, and Ekomitan Mary remains uncertain. Their continued captivity underscores the human cost of insecurity in rural Nigeria and the urgent need for decisive action. Community leaders insist that resolving this case and securing the Ihale–Taki Road would send a powerful signal that authorities are committed to protecting all citizens, regardless of location.
The situation has also reignited debate about ransom payments and their long-term implications. While families often feel they have no choice but to comply with demands to save loved ones, security experts warn that ransom payments can encourage further kidnappings. Balancing immediate humanitarian concerns with broader security strategy remains a difficult challenge for both families and the state.
As investigations and efforts continue behind the scenes, residents of Taki and surrounding communities wait anxiously for positive news. Their hope is that sustained pressure, improved security deployment, and effective intelligence work will lead to the safe return of the three abducted family members. Until then, the Ihale–Taki Road stands as a stark symbol of the insecurity confronting many rural communities and the pressing need for lasting solutions.
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