Gunmen Strike Again in Kogi State: Okoloke Suffers Third Kidnap Attack in One Week

Terror Strikes Again: Gunmen Attack Okoloke in Kogi State for the Third Time in One Week

The wave of insecurity ravaging Nigeria shows no signs of slowing down, as yet another violent attack has struck the once-peaceful agrarian community of Okoloke in the Yagba West Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi State. This marks the third attack on the community in just seven days, causing tension throughout the region and deepening fears among residents.
In the early hours of Tuesday, unidentified gunmen stormed Okoloke, a community known for its rich agricultural lifestyle and a substantial Fulani population. The attackers launched a well-coordinated operation, forcibly entering homes and taking residents by surprise.
According to local eyewitnesses, the gunmen targeted the home of Pa Ezekiel Durojaiye, a retired civil servant and highly respected elder from nearby Okunran village. The assailants reportedly subdued the neighborhood before whisking away Pa Durojaiye and three other individuals into the forest under the cover of darkness.
This brazen abduction has intensified the climate of fear that now pervades Yagba West. Locals are left questioning their safety as abductions become an almost daily occurrence.

Until recently, Yagba West LGA was regarded as one of the quieter, safer areas in Kogi State. However, recent events have changed that narrative drastically. The kidnapping of Pa Durojaiye and others is the latest in a disturbing trend that has gripped the region.
Just last week, on Thursday, gunmen abducted Oba James Dada Ogunyamda, the traditional ruler of a nearby village. The 90-year-old monarch was taken from his palace in a shocking nighttime raid that left his community reeling. In response, residents organized vigils and community prayers, calling for divine and governmental intervention.
As if that wasn’t enough, another attack occurred just three days later, claiming the freedom of two vigilante members and a telecommunications staff member from Glo Mobile. These successive incidents bring the total number of kidnapped individuals in the region to eight — all within one week.

In the case of the abducted monarch, Oba James Dada Ogunyamda, the kidnappers initially demanded a staggering N100 million as ransom. Following intense negotiations, they reportedly reduced the amount to N50 million.
The king’s family has since issued a passionate plea to the Kogi State Government, humanitarian organizations, and well-meaning Nigerians for support in raising the ransom to secure his release. Community leaders and religious figures have also joined the call, urging authorities to act swiftly before the situation worsens further.
Families of other victims remain in distress, uncertain of the fate of their loved ones. With no communication from the captors in some cases, hope is dwindling.

In response to the growing insecurity, the chairman of Yagba West Local Government, Hon. Tosin Olokun, has reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to ending the spate of kidnappings. He assured residents that all necessary resources are being mobilized to support security agencies in their rescue efforts.
The Kogi State Police Command has also weighed in, confirming the attacks and pledging to intensify search operations across the region. A spokesperson from the command noted that collaborative efforts involving local vigilantes, hunters, and federal security forces are underway to track the kidnappers and bring the victims back safely.
Despite these promises, no official rescue has been confirmed as of the time of this report. Many residents remain skeptical, citing a lack of visible results from previous security efforts.
The latest incidents in Kogi State are part of a larger crisis engulfing many parts of Nigeria, where kidnappings for ransom have become a lucrative criminal enterprise. From the North to the South, no region seems immune. Rural communities, in particular, are often the hardest hit due to limited law enforcement presence.
Experts warn that unless more decisive action is taken, these criminal networks will continue to flourish, feeding on weak intelligence networks and delayed government response.
The fear and uncertainty in communities like Okoloke reflect a growing frustration among Nigerians who feel abandoned by the very institutions meant to protect them.  Benue Killings: Homeland of Retired Generals Ravaged by Armed Herdsmen

What Needs to Be Done
To remedy the rising tide of kidnappings and violent crimes in Yagba West and beyond, several urgent measures must be implemented:
1. Increased Security Presence: More police and military personnel should be deployed to vulnerable areas, especially agrarian communities.
2. Surveillance Technology: Use of drones and GPS tracking can aid in monitoring forest routes frequently used by kidnappers.
3. Community Policing: Strengthening local vigilante groups with better training and equipment can improve first-response effectiveness.
4. Speedy Justice: Captured kidnappers should face swift legal prosecution to deter others.
5. Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration between government, private security firms, and telecom companies can enhance intelligence gathering and crisis response.

The recurring attacks in Okoloke and the broader Yagba West Local Government Area have turned a once-peaceful region into a hotspot of fear and uncertainty. With the community still reeling from multiple abductions, including that of a 90-year-old king and respected elders, urgent intervention is needed.
As residents wait for the safe return of their loved ones, the larger question remains: When will Nigerians feel safe again in their own homes?


Stay with us on primelineinfo.com for updates on this developing story and more news on security and governance in Nigeria.