Two Hausa Residents Abducted Along Saminaka Road in Ejiba, Kogi

Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.

The wave of kidnappings sweeping through Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State has shown no sign of abating, as armed bandits struck again on Monday, August 10, 2026, abducting two Hausa residents along the Saminaka Road in Ejiba. The latest incident brings the total number of people kidnapped in the area within the past six days to five, heightening fears among residents and exposing the deepening security crisis in one of Kogi State's most vulnerable regions.

According to a local source, the two victims were on their way to their farms when they were intercepted by the armed bandits and forcibly taken into the surrounding bush. The circumstances surrounding the abduction remain unclear, and the identities of the victims have not yet been disclosed. As of the time of filing this report, the Kogi State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the incident. Residents of Ejiba and surrounding communities have been urged to remain vigilant and exercise extreme caution, particularly when travelling to farms and using isolated routes.

The abduction on Saminaka Road is the latest in a series of attacks that have terrorised Yagba West in recent days. On August 2, four residents of the Oke-Ere community were abducted by suspected bandits but were later rescued following a joint operation by local vigilantes and Nigerian Army troops. According to security sources, the rescue operation involved a shootout in a nearby forest, during which three suspected bandits were killed. The victims were identified as Tunde, Stephen, and two Hausa individuals. Sadly, a local vigilante known as Baba Glo lost his life during the operation.

Just days before that, on July 30, two children and a shoemaker who had been abducted in Egbe, Yagba West, regained their freedom after spending 49 days in captivity. In June 2026, gunmen stormed the Ijalu area of Egbe, abducting a woman and her toddler, though troops later rescued them. The frequency of these attacks has created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty in the area. Residents have reported that economic activities are gradually being suffocated by the constant threat of abduction.

The broader security situation in Kogi State has been deteriorating, with bandits and kidnappers becoming increasingly emboldened. On Sunday, August 9, a Peace Mass Transit bus was intercepted along the Itobe–Anyigba Highway in Ofu Local Government Area, with 16 passengers taken into the bush. Security forces mounted a joint operation involving the police, the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, the DSS, the NSCDC, local vigilantes and auxiliary forces. A fierce gun battle ensued, resulting in the neutralisation of several abductors, though one local vigilante was killed and a police officer sustained gunshot injuries. All 16 victims were rescued unharmed.

In Ejiba itself, the kidnapping crisis has been escalating. On August 8, bandits abducted a pastor, his wife, and several worshippers from a church in Ejiba. The kidnappers later issued a two-day ultimatum, demanding a reduced ransom of N200 million. In a separate incident on Monday, August 10, armed bandits also struck in Igbarukun, Yagba West, but the intended victim managed to escape from his abductors.

The Kogi State Government has intensified patrols and launched a manhunt following the abduction of worshippers in Ejiba. However, the continued frequency of attacks suggests that more robust measures are needed to protect residents and restore confidence in the security apparatus. The police command has urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely, credible information to support ongoing operations against criminal elements.

As the search for the two Hausa residents abducted along Saminaka Road continues, their families and the entire Ejiba community are left in agonising suspense. With five people kidnapped in the area in less than a week, the question on everyone's mind is: who will be next? The authorities have a duty to act decisively before the situation spirals further out of control.

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