Gunmen invade Kogi community, abduct health worker, wife

Residents of Iluke, an ancient town in the Bunu district of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, were thrown into panic after unknown gunmen invaded the community and abducted an unspecified number of persons.

The attackers reportedly stormed the Okebukun area of the town around 1 a.m. on Thursday, where they kidnapped a community health worker popularly known as “Dr. Ebi” (Omo Kemuna) alongside his wife.

According to sources in the community, the gunmen moved the victims out of the area on motorcycles after the operation.

Witnesses said the abductors fired several gunshots into the air while escaping from the town after taking custody of the victims, creating fresh fear among residents.

The kidnapped health worker was said to own a private clinic in the community. As of the time of filing this report, the exact number of abducted persons had yet to be confirmed.

‎In the same vein, people in nearby communities in Mopamuro and Ijumu LGAs woke up to the news, triggering panic among them.

‎Bunu district has suffered several untold security breaches in recent times.

‎On Monday, May 4, some gunmen operated on the Iluke – Oferre road shooting randomly and scaring many people away. Jacob, an unsuspecting commercial driver, could not manoeuvre to safety when he suddenly bumped to them. He was forced to a halt and led to the bush at gun point.

‎His tormentors eventually made contact with his family, making a demand of N50 million ransome for his release. A familiar source with the story said the gunmen have thus far stuck to their ground.

‎Before then, gunmen abducted two wives, two children, and an aid of ‘Prof. Wonder,’ the paramount ruler of Odai, a tiny agrarian community close to Iluke on Wednesday, 16 April. The gunmen demanded N150 million for their freedom.

‎When the ransom delayed in coming, the gunmen were said to have killed two of the monarch’s children over time and showed images of the gory acts on the social media.

‎A month after the attack, the hapless monarch was said to have taken ill and hospitalised while his family remained in the jungle with their tormentor.

‎A source familiar with the case disclosed that the bandits recently demanded that the monarch must bring the ransom in person or risk losing the other abductees.

‎The Kogi State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Afuzat Oyiza, promised to get back after making enquiries, but yet to do so.

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