Armed men invaded the Ayegunle Bunu community in Kogi State, killing two persons and kidnapping several others in a violent raid that has left residents in shock.
Details of the Attack
The gunmen blocked the highway linking the town to neighbouring areas in the early hours of Monday, June 1, 2026. According to a report by Daily Trust, residents said the assailants opened fire upon arrival, causing panic as people fled for safety.
A community source who spoke on condition of anonymity said: "The attack happened around 2:25 am. The sound of gunshots woke everyone up. The gunmen shot and killed two residents and injured several others."
Abductions and Casualties
The source added that the gunmen abducted two residents from their homes, while other victims were passengers in commercial vehicles who unknowingly ran into the blockade on the highway. Efforts are ongoing to determine the exact number of people abducted and the full details of the incident.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, identified the deceased as a pastor killed at home and a passenger killed in a vehicle. ASP Saliu stated that the gunmen blocked the highway leading in and out of Ayegunle Bunu and abducted several travellers.
Police Response
Police disclosed that some victims sustained injuries during the deadly attack. The Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, said operatives had been deployed to the area. "We have commenced an investigation into the incident," he added.
Background of Insecurity
This attack comes amid a wave of banditry in the region. In a related incident, bandits kidnapped former Director of Defence Information, Rabe Abubakar, and his wife in Katsina State. The driver was injured in that attack, and police urged the public to report credible information.
Similarly, armed bandits struck the Odo-Eri community in Kogi again, abducting two residents just days after an earlier attack. Residents recounted renewed fear following the kidnapping of an RCCG pastor and family in the same area. Community members alleged repeated attacks with limited security response, as tension continues to rise locally.
