A group of terrorists launched a fresh attack along the Isanlu Makutu–Idofin corridor in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State, leaving residents and travellers gripped with fear.
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Eyewitnesses said the attackers struck suddenly on Saturday afternoon, forcing people in the area to scamper for safety.
The exact number of victims abducted during the incident has yet to be confirmed, as details remain sketchy. Local sources said the situation has intensified tension across nearby communities, with many residents staying indoors while travellers divert routes to avoid the troubled stretch of road.
Security agencies have been alerted, and operatives were said to be mobilising to the scene at the time of filing this report.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that 21 passengers, including women and a nine-day-old infant, were rescued on Thursday after bandits launched coordinated attacks on multiple vehicles along major highways in Kogi State.
However, two security personnel—a soldier and a vigilante—were confirmed dead in the fierce gun battle that followed.
According to the report, no fewer than 100 bandits laid siege to vehicles travelling in different directions along the ever-busy corridor around 2 p.m.
Targets included a Toyota Sienna (YAB 968 AX) travelling from Oshogbo to Kaduna; a Toyota Hiace bus (7BGT-78LG) from Owo, Ondo State, to Abuja; another Hiace (GKP 178 XA) heading to Ekiti; a Toyota Carina (JMU 648 AA) from Lokoja to Kabba; a Dangote truck transporting 900 bags of cement; and a J5 bus (FTA 313 XV) carrying pepper from Kano to Lagos.
Passengers were reportedly forced to flee into nearby bushes as gunmen attempted to abduct vehicle occupants.
Security analyst Zagazola Makama confirmed that a joint team comprising operatives of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Quick Response Unit, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, local vigilantes, and hunters swiftly mobilised to the scene and engaged the attackers.
The rescue team successfully secured 21 passengers, identified as Moses Oladimeji, Adele Jacob, Obed Onche, Babayemi Ajayi, Funmilayo Ajayi, Samuel Olawoyin, Samuel Job, Jemima Joseph, Nanko Joseph, Enenche Paulina, and Bright Enenche.
Others are Rachael Enenche, Deborah Enenche (nine days old), Bukola Clement, Toyin Clement, Glory Clement, Faith Clement, Peter Olawale, and the drivers of both the Dangote truck and the J5 bus.
However, the operation recorded casualties. A soldier attached to the Oshokoshoko sector and a vigilante from Odoape community were fatally hit during the shootout. Their identities had not been released at the time of reporting.
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