Bandits invade communities, kidnap four in Kogi

Bandits have attacked Odo-Ere community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, abducting four persons in the process.

The community was reportedly invaded on Sunday evening. 

Residents who spoke on the incident confirmed that four people were abducted during the attack.

They identified the victims as Engr. Shina Ajere, Mr. Kehinde Afolabi, Damiola Ogun, and a woman popularly known as Iya Lara.

Some residents, however, claimed that number of people kidnapped was more than four.

The attack has thrown Odo-Ere into panicnand fear as gunshots were reportedly heard across parts of the town, forcing residents indoors.

Police is yet to release an official statement on the incident as at the time of filing this report.

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However, residents are calling for urgent intervention and sustained security presence.

Similarly, a pastor of the Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel, was reportedly kidnapped by armed bandits on Saturday while going to his farm in Okoro Gbedde, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

According to eyewitness accounts, the pastor was traveling on a motorcycle to his farm along the Okeoffin–Okoro Gbedde axis, accompanied by a commercial rider, when they were confronted by the assailants.

Sources revealed that upon seeing the kidnappers, the pastor “jumped off the motorcycle”.

“The commercial rider managed to escape unharmed, while the pastor was abducted and taken to an unknown location,” a source said.

As of the time of filing this report, the kidnappers had not contacted the pastor’s family or the church, and no ransom demand had been made.