Gunmen Kidnap Medical Worker and His Wife in Kogi

By Boluwaji Obahopo, Lokoja.

Unknown gunmen stormed the ancient town of Iluke, a major settlement in the Bunu district of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, Kogi State, on Thursday, abducting an unspecified number of people.

The attackers entered the Okebukun area of the community at about 1 a.m., taking away a community health worker known as “Dr. Ebi” (omo Kemuna) and his wife. They allegedly transported the abductees on motorcycles. While in custody, the gunmen sporadically fired bullets as they fled the town, an act that has heightened fear among residents.

News of the incident spread to nearby communities in Mopamuro and Ijumu LGAs, causing panic among their inhabitants.

The Bunu district has experienced several security breaches in recent months.

On Monday, May 4, gunmen operated along the Iluke–Oferre road, shooting indiscriminately and frightening many people. A commercial driver named Jacob was unable to escape when he was suddenly confronted by the attackers. He was forced to stop and was taken to a bush at gunpoint.

The attackers later contacted Jacob’s family, demanding a ransom of N50 million for his release. A familiar source reported that the gunmen have so far remained in their position.

Earlier, on Wednesday, April 16, gunmen abducted two wives, two children, and an aide of “Prof. Wonder,” the paramount ruler of Odai, a small agrarian community near Iluke. They demanded N150 million for the hostages’ release.

When the ransom was not paid promptly, the gunmen reportedly killed two of the monarch’s children and posted images of the killings on social media.

A month after the attack, the monarch fell ill and was hospitalized while his family remained in the jungle with their captors.

A source familiar with the case said the bandits recently demanded that the monarch 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 follow up after making enquiries, but has not yet done so.

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