Four out of the nine persons kidnapped on Tuesday in Odo-Ape Community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi State have escaped from the kidnappers’ den, leaving five persons with them.
This was disclosed to our correspondent by a community leader in the area, who did not want his name in print.
The recent kidnapping comes barely a week after three persons, including an eight-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 victims were taken from their respective homes.
A source from the community confirmed that the gunmen struck at about 1 am on Wednesday, shooting sporadically before picking their victims.
He said the people of Odo-Ape are now living in fear, not knowing who will be the next victim. He added that just a week ago, three persons, including an 8-year-old boy, were kidnapped from the community.
The source said seven of the kidnapped victims were residents of the community (5 Gwaris, 2 Bassa), “Only the councillor is an indigene of the community.”
Aside from these eight, one other 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 protect their lives and property and secure the release of those kidnapped.
It will be recalled that kidnapping cases have been reported recently 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 are still with the kidnappers.
Though the Kogi Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Anya, has yet to respond to messages sent to him or return the call made to him, a top government security official, however, confirmed the story.
He said the state security apparatus has already swung into action and will make their position known shortly.
He assured that the government is on top of the situation, urging people to go about their daily activities without much fear.
