GUNMEN KIDNAP COUNCILLOR, EIGHT OTHERS IN KOGI

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Gunmen on Tuesday night struck through the communities of Odo-Ape, Kabba/Bunu LGA of Kogi State, and kidnapped nine persons from the community.

This is coming barely a week after three persons, including an 8-year-old boy, were abducted from the same community.

Among those kidnapped is the newly elected councillor representing the Odo-Ape ward in the Kabba-Bunu Legislative Council, Hon. Alaba Ope.

Both the councillor and the other eight were picked from their homes.

A source from the community confirmed that the gunmen struck at about 1 am on Wednesday, shooting sporadically before handpicking their victims.

He said the people of Odo-Ape are now living in fear, not knowing who will be the next victim, adding that just a week ago, three persons were kidnapped from the community, including an eight-year-old boy.

The source said seven of the kidnapped victims were just residents in the community (5 Gwaris, 2 Bassa), “Only the councillor is an indigene of the community.”

Also, another person whose name was given as Silas was picked from Agbadu—a community that shares a boundary with Odo-Ape.

He called on the security agencies and state government to help in protecting their lives and properties and also secure the release of those kidnapped.

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It will be recalled that kidnapping cases have been recorded lately in the local government as two brothers were kidnapped on their family land located in Aluju in Kakun while three other persons, including an 8-year-old boy, were abducted in the same Odo-Ape community just last week, all still with the kidnappers den.

Though the Kogi Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Anya, is yet to respond to messages sent to him on returning the call put across to him this morning, a top government security personnel confirmed the story.

He said the state security apparatus has already swung into action and will make their position known in a short time.

He, however, assured that the government is on top of the situation, urging people to go about their daily businesses without much fear.