By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
Bandits attacked two communities in Mopamuro Local Government Area of Kogi State in the early hours of Sunday, killing residents, injuring others, and abducting an unspecified number of people, local authorities and community sources have confirmed.
The bandits attack in Kogi communities occurred around 4:00 a.m, when armed men reportedly stormed Oke-Agi and Ilai, operating in a coordinated manner and firing sporadically. The attackers were said to have moved freely for more than an hour before distress calls were successfully raised.
According to findings by our correspondent, the first attack took place at Jamroro settlement, located between Oke-Agi and Takete Isao. The area is largely inhabited by Tiv people from Benue State who are engaged in farming and small-scale trading.
During the Jamroro raid, two people were confirmed killed, while three others sustained gunshot injuries. Survivors said residents fled into nearby bushes as the attackers shot indiscriminately, creating panic across the settlement.
The second attack occurred shortly after at a Bassa community near Ilai Grammar School, less than one kilometre from Ilai town. In that incident, one person was reportedly killed, while three residents were abducted by the bandits.
Community sources said the abducted victims were taken into surrounding forests, a tactic that has become common in recent bandit attacks across parts of Kogi State. The exact number of abducted persons remains unclear as families continue to account for missing relatives.
All injured victims from both attacks are currently receiving medical treatment at an undisclosed hospital, according to local officials.
The attacks were confirmed by the Chairman of Mopamuro Local Government Area, Hon. Ademola Bello, as well as traditional rulers and community leaders from Oke-Agi and Ilai. They described the incidents as disturbing and called for urgent intervention.
Residents expressed frustration over what they described as a delayed security response, alleging that the bandits operated for over an hour without resistance. Some community members said repeated calls for help could not be immediately attended to, leaving residents exposed.
The renewed violence has heightened fear across Mopamuro and neighbouring communities, with many residents calling on the Kogi State Government and security agencies to deploy more personnel and intensify patrols in vulnerable areas.
Community leaders warned that if decisive action is not taken, rural settlements may continue to experience coordinated bandit attacks, threatening lives, livelihoods, and food security in the area.
Efforts to obtain an official response from the Kogi State Police Command were unsuccessful as calls to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Ayah, were not answered as of the time of filing this report.
The bandits attack in Kogi communities adds to growing concerns over insecurity in parts of the state, as residents continue to demand stronger security measures to prevent further loss of lives and abductions.
