By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
RESIDENTS of Ayegunle Bunu in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State were thrown into panic in the early hours of Monday following a deadly attack by gunmen that left one person dead and more than 30 others kidnapped.
The attackers, suspected to be bandits, reportedly stormed the area at about 2:25 a.m., unleashing terror on residents and travellers in what witnesses described as a coordinated operation.
Preliminary reports from the community indicated that one person was killed during the attack, while another sustained injuries and is receiving treatment.
Sources within the community disclosed that two residents of Ayegunle Bunu, a man and a woman whose names could not be ascertained immediately, were among those abducted by the gunmen.
The majority of the victims, however, were said to be passengers travelling in a commercial bus that was intercepted by the assailants while passing through the community.
The gunmen reportedly forced the passengers out of the vehicle before marching them into a nearby forest, leaving residents and road users in shock.
The incident has heightened fears among residents of the area, who have repeatedly expressed concerns over rising insecurity and attacks along major routes in the district.
Community members have called on security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the abducted victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
As of the time of filing this report, no official statement had been issued by security authorities regarding the attack.
The latest attack has heightened concerns over the security situation in parts of Kogi State where cases of kidnapping and armed attacks have continued to pose serious challenges to residents and commuters.
