From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

Armed bandits have again attacked Odo-Ere, the headquarters of Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, killing a member of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and abducting his daughter.

Sources told our correspondent that the community came under attack on Monday evening, June 8, 2026, resulting in the death of the officer, identified as Mr. Ayo, and the abduction of his first daughter.

According to residents, the gunmen invaded the area and opened fire, causing panic as residents fled for safety.

Mr. Ayo was reportedly shot in the head during the attack. He was rushed to a medical facility but was confirmed dead on arrival.

His remains have since been deposited in a mortuary.

The attackers were said to have abducted his daughter before fleeing the community, heightening fears among residents over the worsening security situation in the area.

The latest incident comes amid a series of attacks in Kogi West Senatorial District.

Residents recalled that armed bandits attacked Aiyegunle-Igun in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area last Monday, killing two persons and abducting about 30 others.

Three days later, gunmen reportedly invaded Ikoyi community in Ijumu Local Government Area during a burial ceremony, killing three people and abducting several others.

According to community sources, none of the victims from the earlier incidents has been rescued, while many residents continue to live in fear of further attacks.

The renewed wave of violence has heightened concerns over insecurity across Yagba West and other parts of Kogi West, prompting calls for urgent intervention by security agencies and government authorities.

Residents urged security operatives to intensify efforts to track down the perpetrators and secure the release of those still in captivity.

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on the latest attack.

From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

Security operatives in Kogi State on Saturday foiled an attempted bandit attack on Ikoyi community in Ijumu Local Government Area, preventing what authorities described as a major security breach.

The attack occurred at about 7:00 p.m. when armed bandits reportedly stormed a gathering in the community with the intention of abducting participants and causing panic among residents.

According to the Kogi State Government, the gathering involved members of the Tiv community and was allegedly held in violation of an existing government security directive restricting public social gatherings beyond 4:00 p.m.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, security personnel comprising the Nigerian military, the Nigeria Police Force, operatives of the Kogi State Vigilante Service and local hunters responded to distress calls within five minutes of the incident.

The swift intervention led to a gun battle between the security operatives and the attackers, forcing the bandits to abandon their mission and flee into nearby forests.

However, one member of the Tiv community was killed during the attack, while another sustained gunshot injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment.

According to the state government, intelligence reports indicate that several of the fleeing attackers suffered gunshot wounds during the confrontation.

The government urged residents to support ongoing security operations by reporting anyone found with suspicious gunshot injuries or seeking treatment for firearm-related wounds to the nearest security agency.

Fanwo said the incident demonstrated the effectiveness of Kogi State’s community-based security architecture and the collaboration among conventional security agencies, vigilante operatives and local hunters.

He noted that the integration of the Kogi State Vigilante Service into the mainstream civil service, as well as pensionable appointments approved by the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, had strengthened intelligence gathering and rapid response capabilities across the state.

The commissioner also commended the Hunters Group for its contribution to grassroots security operations, describing it as a vital component of the state’s security framework.

He praised all security personnel involved in the operation for their courage, professionalism and sacrifice, noting that their prompt response prevented what could have escalated into a large-scale security crisis.

Fanwo assured residents that the state government remains committed to protecting lives and property and will continue to support security agencies in maintaining peace and security across Kogi State.

He also urged citizens to remain vigilant and provide credible information to security agencies to aid ongoing efforts to combat crime.

Security agencies have since launched a manhunt for the fleeing suspects.

By Abigail David

The Federal Government has expressed dissatisfaction with South Africa’s handling of the recent wave of xenophobic attacks against Nigerians, warning that diplomatic and economic measures, including a review of bilateral privileges, are under consideration.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, disclosed this on Monday after briefing President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

She accused South African authorities of failing to respond decisively to attacks on Nigerian nationals, alleging that businesses owned by Nigerians had been looted and destroyed while their children faced intimidation in schools.

The minister also dismissed claims that the affected Nigerians were illegal migrants, insisting that many of them are legitimate residents and business owners.

According to her, Nigeria’s historical support for South Africa during the anti-apartheid struggle makes the treatment of its citizens particularly disappointing.

“Nigeria is not happy with South Africa,” she said, recalling the country’s financial and political contributions to South Africa’s liberation movement.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that the Federal Government was considering possible retaliatory measures, including reviewing privileges enjoyed by South African businesses and nationals in Nigeria, although she stressed that such decisions would be taken at the highest level of government.

Her comments followed resolutions by the National Assembly, with the House of Representatives recommending a temporary suspension of business permits for South African companies operating in Nigeria, while the Senate proposed sending a high-level delegation led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio to South Africa.

The minister also confirmed that President Tinubu had approved five evacuation flights to repatriate Nigerians willing to return home amid the crisis.

According to her, 1,092 Nigerians have registered for voluntary evacuation, with more than 500 already screened and cleared for departure. The first evacuation flight, initially scheduled for Monday, was postponed to Wednesday due to logistical reasons.

She explained that the evacuation exercise, being coordinated with the National Emergency Management Agency and other government agencies, would be followed by rehabilitation support for returnees.

The latest tensions were sparked by anti-immigration protests organised by groups including Operation Dudula and March for March, which have heightened fears among foreign nationals across several South African provinces.

Nigeria had earlier summoned South Africa’s Acting High Commissioner, Lesoli Machele, for discussions over the attacks, while the South African government reportedly expressed reservations about Nigeria’s evacuation plans.

The current developments revive memories of previous xenophobic attacks in 2008, 2015 and 2019, which claimed lives, displaced thousands of foreign nationals and strained diplomatic relations between both countries.