Gunmen abduct councillor, 8 others in Kogi

Nine people, including a newly elected councillor, were kidnapped by gunmen on Wednesday morning in the Odo-Ape community, located in the Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Sources confirmed that the abduction occurred around 1 am, when the attackers stormed the community, firing indiscriminately and taking their victims from their homes.

The councillor, who represents the Odo-Ape Ward in the Kabba-Bunu Legislative Council, was among those abducted.

This latest incident comes just one week after a similar kidnapping in the same community, where three people, including an eight-year-old boy, were taken.

According to a local source, the victims included five Gwari people, two Bassa people, and the councillor, who is an indigene of Odo-Ape. The community has been left in fear, unsure of who will be targeted next.

The state security forces have reportedly launched an operation to secure the release of the abducted individuals.

While Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Anya, has yet to respond to inquiries, a senior government official assured that the state government is actively addressing the situation and urged residents to remain calm and continue their daily activities without fear.