Kogi: Gunmen Strike Again on Isanlu Makutu–Idofin Road as Scores Feared Abducted

Armed men launched a renewed attack on the Isanlu Makutu–Idofin road in Kogi State on Saturday, disrupting afternoon travel and leaving an unconfirmed number of people feared abducted. Witnesses said the assailants emerged suddenly along the corridor in Yagba East, forcing residents and motorists to abandon vehicles and run for safety.

Information from the area remained limited hours after the incident, but locals reported a sharp rise in tension across nearby communities. Many residents stayed indoors, while travellers redirected their journeys to avoid the troubled route. Security teams were said to be heading to the location shortly after the alarm was raised.

The latest attack comes days after a large ambush along major highways in Kogi, where more than 100 armed men targeted multiple vehicles. In that earlier incident, 21 hostages—including a nine-day-old infant—were rescued by a joint team of army personnel, civil defence officers, vigilantes and hunters. A soldier and a vigilante were killed during the exchange of gunfire.

Vehicles struck in Thursday’s assault included commercial buses, private cars, a cement truck and a J5 bus transporting pepper from Kano to Lagos. Passengers fled into nearby bushes as gunmen attempted to forcefully seize travellers.

Among those rescued were Moses Oladimeji, Adele Jacob, Obed Onche, Babayemi Ajayi, Funmilayo Ajayi, Samuel Olawoyin, Samuel Job, Jemima Joseph, Nanko Joseph, Bright Enenche, Rachael Enenche, Deborah Enenche, Bukola Clement, Toyin Clement, Glory Clement, Faith Clement, Peter Olawale and the drivers of the two trucks involved.

Authorities have not yet released the identities of the security personnel who died in that operation.