Gunmen abduct councillor, eight others in Kogi community

Nine persons, including a councillor, were abducted by gunmen at the Odo-Ape community in the Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Our correspondent gathered that the abduction took place on Wednesday morning.

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

Among those kidnapped include the newly elected councillor representing the Odo-Ape Ward in the Kabba-Bunu Legislative Council.

The councilor and the other eight were picked from their respective houses.

A source from the community who did not want his name mentioned for security reasons confirmed that the gunmen struck at about 1 am on Wednesday shooting indiscriminately before picking 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 added that seven of the victims are just residents in the community (five Gwaris, two Bassa), and only the councillor is an indigene of the community.

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

Though the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Anya, is yet to respond to messages sent to him nor return the call put across to him this morning, however, 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 further assured all that the government is on top of the situation, urging people to go about their daily businesses without fear.