Fear Grips Kogi State as Gunmen Abduct Four More in Okoloke Community: A Week of Terror in Yagba West

 

Okoloke, Kogi State – May 21, 2025 – The wave of insecurity sweeping across Nigeria has once again struck the peaceful region of Yagba West in Kogi State. In the early hours of Tuesday, May 20, 2025, unidentified gunmen invaded the quiet community of Okoloke and abducted four individuals, sending shockwaves through the entire local government area.

The attack occurred just days after a series of similar incidents, including the abduction of a respected traditional ruler and multiple residents, signaling a deeply troubling pattern of violence and rising insecurity in the region.

Who Were the Victims?

Among the kidnapped individuals is Pa Ezekiel Durojaiye, a retired civil servant and a well-respected elder from the neighboring village of Okunran. Pa Durojaiye is known not just for his wisdom, but for his decades of service to the community. His sudden abduction has left many residents in fear for their own safety and that of their loved ones.

Eyewitnesses report that the attackers arrived around 2:00 AM, heavily armed and wearing masks. They proceeded to force their way into Pa Durojaiye’s residence, firing shots into the air to scare neighbors and assert control over the area.

After subduing the community, the gunmen abducted Pa Durojaiye along with three other yet-to-be-identified individuals, whisking them away at gunpoint into the dense forest that borders the village.

Rising Fear in Yagba West: A Community Under Siege

This latest kidnapping is not an isolated event. In fact, it marks the third major abduction within just one week in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State. Residents are now living in constant fear, as the once peaceful region seems to be turning into a dangerous hotspot for violent criminal activity.

Just last Thursday, the entire community was thrown into turmoil following the abduction of Oba James Dada Ogunyamda, the traditional ruler of the area. At 90 years old, Oba Ogunyamda is one of the oldest monarchs in the region and is deeply revered. According to local sources, the attackers initially demanded a ransom of N100 million, although this was later reduced to N50 million during negotiations.

“The family is pleading with the government and well-meaning Nigerians to come to their aid,” a source close to the monarch’s family revealed. “We cannot raise such a huge amount on our own, and every day that passes without help only increases our fear for Baba’s safety.”

Escalating Crisis: Vigilantes and Telecom Workers Not Spared

Tragically, the violence hasn’t been limited to traditional rulers or elderly residents. Just three days after Oba Ogunyamda was kidnapped, another violent incident rocked the area. Two local vigilante members—volunteers who had been helping protect their communities in the absence of adequate police presence—were ambushed and taken by force. A staff member of Glo Mobile, Nigeria’s major telecommunications provider, was also kidnapped in that same incident.

This brings the total number of abducted individuals in Yagba West in the last seven days to eight people, painting a grim picture of a community under siege.

The Growing Trend of Kidnapping in Nigeria

Kidnapping for ransom has become one of the fastest-growing crimes in Nigeria, particularly in rural areas where law enforcement is stretched thin and under-resourced. While states like Zamfara, Kaduna, and Niger have frequently made national headlines for such attacks, the spread of these crimes to places like Kogi State—especially regions like Yagba West that were once considered safe—is raising alarm among both residents and security analysts.

Experts warn that unless the federal and state governments take urgent action, these criminal gangs will continue to expand their operations and hold entire communities hostage. The lack of consistent security presence, poor road infrastructure, and limited surveillance technology are just some of the factors enabling these crimes.

Community Reaction: Anger, Anxiety, and Pleas for Help

In Okoloke, Okunran, and surrounding villages, the atmosphere is tense. Schools and businesses have either closed or significantly reduced operating hours. Farmers are afraid to go to their farms, and many residents now stay indoors after sunset.

“There’s a climate of fear here now,” says Mrs. Mopelola Adebayo, a primary school teacher in Okoloke. “Everyone is afraid they could be next. We don’t sleep with both eyes closed anymore.”

Community leaders and youth groups are calling on both the Kogi State Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria to intervene immediately and bring lasting security to the area.

“We are pleading with Governor Usman Ododo to send security operatives to patrol this area day and night,” said Mr. Ajayi Olorunfemi, head of the Okunran Development Union. “We have lost our sense of peace. If elders, kings, and community guards can be abducted, who is safe?”

What Has the Government Said?

As of the time of this report, there has been no official statement from the Kogi State Police Command regarding the latest abductions. However, sources within the local government confirm that meetings are ongoing to strategize on increased security operations in the area.

Security experts suggest deploying more police officers and military personnel to known flashpoints, especially along forest corridors that serve as escape routes for kidnappers.

There have also been calls for the establishment of a community policing system, with support from the government to train and equip vigilante groups who are often the first responders during such incidents.

How the Public Can Help

In response to the plea for assistance from the family of Oba Ogunyamda, several NGOs and religious organizations have begun mobilizing to raise funds. A few individuals have also taken to social media, using hashtags like #FreeOurKing, #SaveYagbaWest, and #StopTheKidnappings to draw national attention to the crisis.

Nigerians are encouraged to support in any way they can—whether through donations, sharing verified information, or pressuring their elected representatives to act decisively.

Final Thoughts

The recent spate of kidnappings in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State paints a tragic picture of the growing insecurity in Nigeria's rural communities. What started as sporadic incidents has now become a worrying trend, leaving entire villages in fear and desperation.

From the abduction of revered community elders like Pa Ezekiel Durojaiye, to the shocking kidnapping of a 90-year-old monarch, and even frontline community defenders and telecom staff—no one seems to be safe anymore.

It is a situation that requires not just local or state-level attention, but urgent national action. Every Nigerian has a role to play in speaking up, demanding accountability, and supporting affected families.

Until our communities are safe again, peace will remain a distant dream for many.