Suspected bandits have killed an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Ayo Olukotun, and abducted his daughter alongside several other residents during a deadly attack on Odo-Ere, the headquarters of Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Residents said the attack occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Monday when heavily armed gunmen invaded the community, shooting sporadically and sending residents fleeing for safety.
According to eyewitness accounts, the attackers stormed the residence of the NSCDC officer amid the chaos, shot him and whisked away his daughter and several other victims into a nearby forest.
A community source disclosed that Olukotun was rushed to a hospital shortly after the incident but was pronounced dead on arrival.
“Mr. Olukotun was taken to the hospital immediately after the incident, but sadly, he was confirmed dead on arrival. His remains have since been deposited in a mortuary,” the source said.
The attack has sparked fresh concerns over insecurity in the area, with residents calling for stronger security measures to protect vulnerable communities from recurring attacks.
Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of Yagba West Local Government Area, Hon. Tosin Olokun, condemned the killing and abduction, describing the incident as tragic and heartbreaking.
Olokun, who also serves as Chairman of the Kogi State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), expressed sympathy with the family of the slain officer and other victims affected by the attack.
“We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident. On behalf of the government and people of Yagba West, I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. Ayo Olukotun, the people of Odo-Ere and all those affected by this attack,” he said in a statement.
The council chairman urged residents to remain vigilant and continue sharing credible intelligence with security agencies to support ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities in the area.
Meanwhile, residents have called on security agencies to deploy the advanced surveillance drones recently acquired by the Kogi State Government to monitor forests and other high-risk areas frequently used by criminal gangs.
According to community members, the drones were introduced to strengthen intelligence gathering and improve rapid response capabilities against insecurity across the state.
As of the time of filing this report, the Kogi State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the attack.
The latest incident adds to growing concerns over the security situation in parts of Kogi State, where residents continue to face threats from kidnappers and armed criminal groups operating in remote communities.
