Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Four residents abducted earlier on Sunday morning in Oke-Ere community, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, have been rescued following a joint operation by local vigilantes and personnel of the Nigerian Army. The rescue operation, which took place on Sunday, August 2, 2026, led to a fierce gun battle between security operatives and the armed attackers, during which three bandits were neutralised while others escaped with gunshot injuries. However, the operation came at a cost, as a local vigilante member identified as Baba Glo, a native of Oke-Ere community, was killed during the encounter.
The abduction occurred in the early hours of Sunday, August 2, when armed bandits attacked Oke-Ere community and abducted four residents. The victims, identified as Tunde, Stephen, and two Hausa residents, were reportedly on their way to a river known as Liberia within the community when they were ambushed and taken away by the attackers. Following the incident, personnel of the Nigerian Army arrived in the community and commenced a search and rescue operation to secure the release of the victims. The latest development confirms that the victims have regained their freedom and have been reunited with their families, while security agencies continue efforts to track down the fleeing attackers.
The rescue operation in Oke-Ere is the latest in a series of security interventions in the Yagba West axis, which has witnessed a surge in bandit attacks and kidnappings in recent months. In June 2026, bandits killed a personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and abducted his daughter during an attack on Odo-Ere, the headquarters of the local government area. In July 2026, two kidnapped children and a shoemaker regained their freedom after spending 49 days in captivity and following the payment of a N6 million ransom. The recurring attacks have left residents living in constant fear, with many calling on the government to take decisive action to address the security crisis in the area.
The death of Baba Glo, a local vigilante member who lost his life while defending his community, has added to the growing list of casualties in the fight against banditry in Kogi State. The vigilante and his colleagues have been at the forefront of efforts to protect their communities from criminal attacks, often without adequate weapons or government support. The loss of one of their own has deepened the grief of the Oke-Ere community, which has endured repeated attacks, abductions, and loss of lives. As the community mourns the loss of a brave volunteer, there is a renewed sense of urgency for the government to provide security agencies and vigilante groups with the resources they need to effectively combat the threat of banditry.
The rescue of the four abducted residents is a testament to the bravery and dedication of the security operatives and vigilantes who risked their lives to secure the release of the victims. It also underscores the importance of community-based security structures in complementing the efforts of formal security agencies. However, the death of Baba Glo serves as a stark reminder of the heavy price paid by those on the frontlines of the battle against insecurity. For the people of Oke-Ere and the wider Yagba West community, the hope is that the successful rescue operation will be followed by sustained security measures that will prevent future attacks and bring lasting peace to the area. As security agencies continue their manhunt for the fleeing attackers, the people of Oke-Ere are left to mourn the loss of one of their own while celebrating the safe return of the four abducted residents.
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