Two persons remain in captivity after suspected bandits abduct four members of a family during a late-night attack on Zango Daji community, a satellite settlement in Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State, on the outskirts of Lokoja. The incident again raises concern over persistent insecurity in communities around the state capital.
According to Mediaplusng.com, residents say the attackers storm the area late on Friday night, firing sporadic gunshots that throw the community into panic. During the invasion, the gunmen abduct four people, including women and children, before fleeing the area under the cover of darkness.
Local sources say the swift response of community vigilantes and other local security operatives later leads to the discovery of two victims. An elderly woman, said to be over 70 years old, and a baby are reportedly abandoned by the attackers and later rescued. However, two others, identified as a woman and a five-year-old boy, remain in the custody of the abductors.
As reported by Mediaplusng.com, residents describe the attack as terrifying and sudden. A community member, Yunusa Yusuf, says the gunmen arrive around 8:45 p.m. and begin shooting into the air, forcing families to hide indoors. He explains that the sound of gunfire creates fear across the neighborhood, with many residents unable to come out to help one another.
Yusuf recounts that while trying to observe what was happening from his window, the attackers fire in his direction, forcing him to lie flat on the floor with his family. Moments later, he hears noise from a nearby house, indicating that the gunmen have broken in and abducted members of the household. He says his only option is to alert other community members through a local communication platform.
Family members of the victims say the situation is especially worrying because of the condition of those still held. A relative, Faiza Aliba, explains that her sister, who is among those abducted, recently struggles with health challenges and was only recently discharged from the hospital. She also says the five-year-old boy was taken without proper clothing, heightening fears for his safety.
Community leaders and residents express frustration over what they describe as repeated attacks, especially around festive and new year periods. A resident, Dennis Oda, says Zango Daji and surrounding communities experience similar incidents almost every year, with attackers abducting residents and later demanding large ransoms.
Oda urges security agencies to increase patrols, particularly at night, and establish a stronger security presence in the area. He says many residents now live in fear and struggle to sleep, worried that gunmen may return at any time. According to him, better surveillance and rapid response could help deter future attacks.
Another affected family member, Abdullahi Sheriff, a 36-year-old resident, appeals directly to the Kogi State Government and security agencies to intervene urgently. He says his sister-in-law and young son are the ones still being held and describes the situation as distressing for the entire family. He pleads for swift action to secure their safe release.
Residents also call on the state government to address the broader security challenges facing communities around Lokoja. They say the outskirts of the capital are becoming increasingly vulnerable to attacks, despite their proximity to major security formations and government institutions.
As of the time of filing this report, there is no official statement from the Kogi State Police Command on the incident. Efforts by journalists to reach police authorities for comments remain unsuccessful, as no officer is willing to speak on record.
Community members say they hope that public attention will prompt faster action from security agencies. They insist that the immediate rescue of the remaining victims is critical, while longer-term measures are needed to prevent further attacks and restore confidence in the safety of rural and semi-urban communities in Kogi State.
