Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A Kogi State father, Samuel Idowu, whose home was attacked by armed bandits in Ijalu Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area on June 3, 2026, is making a desperate public appeal for financial assistance after the abductors issued a deadline to pay a ₦200 million ransom or kill his two children who remain in captivity.
The attack occurred late on Wednesday, June 3, when suspected terrorists invaded a residence near Solid Rock School in Ijalu, Egbe, and abducted five family members, including a woman, her infant child, and three others. The victims included Mrs. Adekemi Idowu and her six-month-old baby, who were later rescued by a joint operation involving local security operatives and Nigerian Army personnel. However, two of Mrs. Idowu's children — a boy and a girl — as well as a local shoemaker identified simply as JB, remain in the hands of the abductors.
In a viral video circulating on social media, Samuel Idowu, the father of the abducted children, is seen appealing for help, his voice trembling with anguish. "Armed bandits have given me a deadline to provide a ₦200 million ransom or they will kill my two children," he said, according to reports. The video has since sparked widespread public sympathy and outrage, with many Nigerians calling on the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the remaining victims.
Community sources confirmed that the attackers operated for several minutes without resistance before disappearing with the abducted residents. "The terrorists came suddenly, and everybody started running. They were heavily armed and people could not confront them. They abducted Mrs. Kemi and her little child and disappeared into the surrounding area before help could come," a resident told SaharaReporters.
Following the attack, local vigilantes and security operatives launched a coordinated search operation in collaboration with soldiers, leading to the successful rescue of Mrs. Idowu and her infant. However, anxiety remains high within the community as families continue to await the safe return of the two children and the shoemaker still being held by the kidnappers.
Security operatives have intensified efforts to secure the release of the remaining victims, and residents have been urged to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could assist ongoing rescue operations.
The abduction has heightened concerns over security challenges facing communities along the Osun-Kwara boundary, where residents have repeatedly complained about attacks by kidnappers operating through forest corridors connecting both states. The attack is part of a worrying trend of kidnappings in Yagba West, where armed groups have increasingly targeted rural communities, forcing families to live in constant fear.
As Samuel Idowu pleads for help to save his children, the public is urged to share his story widely and support efforts to secure the release of the innocent victims. The government and security agencies are also called upon to step up operations and bring the perpetrators to justice.
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