Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A viral video has exposed the brutal cruelty of kidnappers operating in Kabba Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, showing men, women, and even a child being mercilessly flogged by their captors. The footage, shared widely on social media on Monday, April 27, 2026, has ignited a wave of outrage and grief, as families of the victims cried out for urgent government intervention. The video, which appears to have been recorded by the kidnappers themselves, depicts the victims being whipped repeatedly with sticks as they pleaded for mercy. The clip, which was too graphic for many viewers, showed the kidnappers laughing while inflicting the punishment, a display of cruelty that has horrified Nigerians across the country.
The incident is believed to be connected to the recent wave of abductions that have plagued the Kabba Bunu area, where armed gangs have increasingly targeted rural communities, highways, and even places of worship. While the exact number of victims in the flogging video remains unclear, community leaders have identified several of them as indigenes of the area who have been missing for weeks. A source close to one of the affected families told our reporter that the kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N150 million for the release of the captives, a sum that the impoverished community cannot afford. "They have been calling us, threatening to kill them if we do not pay. Now they are beating them like animals. We are helpless," the source said.
The Kabba Bunu area has become a hotspot for banditry and kidnapping, with dozens of residents abducted in recent months. In December 2025, armed men attacked the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Ayetoro Kiri, Kabba Bunu, abducting at least 37 worshippers. Three of those victims later died, four were hospitalised, and 30 remained in captivity for weeks after a ransom was paid. In April 2026, gunmen stormed an orphanage in the area, abducting 24 pupils and the wife of the proprietor. Security forces have since rescued several of the victims, but the attacks have continued unabated.
The viral video has renewed calls for the federal government to declare a state of emergency in the North‑Central region, where armed gangs have displaced thousands of families and turned major highways into death traps. Civil society organisations in Kogi State have condemned the cruelty shown in the video, describing it as a "crime against humanity." In a statement, the Kabba Bunu Development Association urged President Bola Tinubu to deploy additional military and police personnel to the area and to provide the necessary equipment to track down the kidnappers. "This is no longer just about ransom. This is about pure evil. These people must be stopped," the association said.
The Kogi State Police Command has acknowledged the video and confirmed that an investigation is underway. However, no arrests have been reported, and the kidnappers have not been identified. "We are aware of the disturbing video circulating online. Our operatives are working tirelessly to locate the victims and apprehend the perpetrators," a police spokesperson said. The command also appealed to residents to provide any information that could assist in the rescue operation.
For the families of the victims, the wait has been agonising. One woman, whose teenage son was among those flogged in the video, broke down in tears as she described the torture. "He is just a child. He has done nothing wrong. They are beating him like a slave. Please, government, help us," she pleaded. Her words have echoed across social media, with many Nigerians expressing outrage and calling for swift action.
The video has also drawn attention to the psychological trauma inflicted by kidnappers, who often resort to torture to pressure families into paying ransom. The National Human Rights Commission has condemned the use of torture by criminal gangs and called for an urgent review of Nigeria's anti‑kidnapping laws. "The flogging of a child is not just a crime; it is a violation of the child's fundamental rights," the commission said in a statement.
As the nation continues to grapple with the security crisis, the people of Kabba Bunu are living in fear. Many have fled their homes, while those who remain have formed local vigilante groups to protect themselves. But without adequate weapons and training, they are no match for the heavily armed kidnappers. The viral video has become a symbol of the impunity that has taken hold in Nigeria's rural communities, where the government is often absent and the law is enforced by those who have no respect for it.
The federal government has yet to issue an official statement on the video, but the National Security Adviser is reportedly monitoring the situation. Meanwhile, the families of the victims are praying for a miracle, hoping that their loved ones will be released alive. For now, the video remains a painful reminder of the cruelty that has become a daily reality for many Nigerians. And the question on everyone's lips is simple: when will this nightmare end?
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