Kogi: Gunmen abduct man, wife in Yagba East, demand N100m ransom

Richard Elesho/Kogi

In spite of ongoing military operations across Kogi State, Yagbaeast has suffered another security breach. A set of unknown gunmen suspected to be Fulani invaded Idofin, a community along the Kabba/ Egbe/ Ilorin highway, and made straight for the house of Elder Moses Tuesday Omokore They subsequently forced Omokore and his wife to follow them to an unknown destination.

The attack, which occurred on Tuesday, 21 October, at about 7:20 p.m. has left people of the area in fear and confusion.

Omokore, a teacher by training, was recently redeployed to the zonal office of the Teaching Service Commission at the L.G. headquarters, Isanlu. He is also said to be the younger brother of Chief Friday Omokore, a notable businessman.

News of the attack was first made public on WhatsApp platform. The informant urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement immediately.

“This is a critical moment—may God protect our land and bring them back safely,” he added.

A pastor in the community who spoke to this reporter anonymously said the assailants have made contact requesting the payment of 100 million Naira as condition for their release.

“What they said we should pay is too much. We are looking up to God and the government through the security agencies to intervene.”

Bandits have marauded Yagba Federal constituency in recent times. Among the recent victims of abduction is Mrs Omolayo Jacob, also known as “Iyawo Agbede” a trader in Ilafin, a nearby agrarian community. She was kidnapped from her shop by four gun wielding criminals in the evening on Thursday, 15th October.

“The evil menace of kidnapping, intimidation, and harassment by herdsmen destroying our farms is worrisome. It calls for serious concerns and should be highly condemned by all. While we call on government to intervene, we all need to rise in one accord against this evil before it consumes all of us,” a source in the area said.