Suspected bandits launched a terrifying midnight raid in Kogi State, abducting four members of a single family and throwing a satellite community of the state capital into panic.
Midnight Invasion Throws Community into Fear
The attack occurred in Zone 12 of the Zango community, located within the Adavi Local Government Area. Zango is a satellite settlement on the outskirts of Lokoja, the Kogi State capital. According to local residents who spoke anonymously, the armed assailants struck in the late hours of Friday, January 9, 2026.
"We were invaded last night. Regrettably, four individuals, including women and children, were abducted during the invasion," a shaken source revealed. The sudden violence left the entire community gripped by fear, with many unable to sleep throughout the night as they felt under siege.
Security Intervention Leads to Partial Rescue
The swift response from local security operatives provided a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. Their intervention prompted the kidnappers to abandon two of their captives during their escape.
"The intervention of local security led to the discovery of two victims abandoned by the gunmen," the source confirmed. An elderly woman and a two-year-old child were found in a nearby bush on Saturday morning, having been left behind by the fleeing criminals.
However, the rescue came with a tinge of frustration for residents. While police and army personnel eventually responded to the distress calls, many felt the response was delayed. "They came rather late after the gunmen escaped with their victims into an unknown destination," one resident lamented.
Manhunt Launched Amid Conflicting Reports
Security agencies have now commenced a full-scale manhunt for the kidnappers and the remaining two victims. Reports from the area indicate the gunmen specifically targeted a newly completed house in the neighborhood.
Details about the exact composition of the abducted family remain unclear, with conflicting accounts from traumatized residents. Some sources claimed a woman and her son were taken, while others alleged a man and his son were the victims. This confusion highlights the disorder and fear that followed the late-night assault.
The incident has once again raised serious concerns about security in communities around Lokoja, demonstrating that criminal elements can strike alarmingly close to the heart of state governance.
