A new wave of violence swept through the Isanlu Makutu–Idofin axis in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State on Saturday, after armed men launched an attack that sent residents and travellers running for safety.
The incident, which occurred suddenly in the afternoon, caused confusion along the stretch as people abandoned vehicles and homes to avoid being caught in the raid. Witnesses said gunshots rang out for several minutes before the attackers moved deeper into the forest.
As of press time, the number of people abducted could not be confirmed, with local authorities saying information from the area remained unclear. The attack has heightened anxiety across neighbouring communities, where many residents have opted to remain indoors. Motorists are also said to be taking alternative routes to avoid the corridor.
Security agencies were alerted shortly after the assault began, and operatives were reportedly mobilising to the area to assess the situation and begin search operations.
Saturday’s attack comes barely days after a major coordinated assault by gunmen along major highways in Kogi, which left two security personnel dead and several passengers abducted.
On Thursday, 21 kidnapped victims, including women and a nine-day-old baby, were rescued following a joint operation led by troops from the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, the Quick Response Unit, personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, vigilantes and hunters.
That incident involved a large group of armed men who ambushed multiple vehicles around 2 p.m. on a busy corridor in the central part of the state. The attackers reportedly targeted a Toyota Sienna travelling from Oshogbo to Kaduna, two Toyota Hiace buses heading toward Abuja and Ekiti, a Toyota Carina from Lokoja to Kabba, a Dangote truck transporting cement, and a J5 bus carrying pepper from Kano to Lagos.
Panicked passengers were forced to flee into nearby bushes as the gunmen attempted to seize travellers.
A security analyst, Zagazola Makama, confirmed that the rescue team battled the attackers before securing the release of the 21 victims, whose names were later made public by authorities. Among them were Moses Oladimeji, Adele Jacob, Obed Onche, Babayemi Ajayi, Funmilayo Ajayi, Samuel Olawoyin, Samuel Job, Jemima Joseph and several others, including the truck and J5 drivers.
However, the operation was not without casualties. A soldier attached to the Oshokoshoko sector and a vigilante from Odoape community were killed during the exchange of gunfire. Their identities had not been disclosed as of the time this report was filed.