Gunmen Abduct Over 40 Voter Registrants In Kogi, 10 Still Missing

THE ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise in Kogi State has taken a tragic turn, as over 40 prospective voters were abducted at gunpoint while returning home after completing their registration in Kogi East.

The incident occurred around 6:00p.m. on Friday along the Dekina–Ajiyolo–Anyigba Road, according to local sources.

The victims, mostly residents of Abocho community and its environs, had hired a bus to convey them to Dekina, the Local Government Area headquarters, to take part in the ongoing CVR exercise.

Eyewitnesses said that on their return journey to Abocho, the bus was ambushed by more than 20 heavily armed kidnappers, who forcefully whisked away all the occupants.

News of the mass abduction spread rapidly, sending shockwaves across neighbouring communities and heightening tension and anxiety.

Relief, however, came later when troops of the 12 Brigade, Lokoja, in collaboration with local security operatives, launched a pursuit.

The hot chase reportedly forced the kidnappers to abandon some of the victims while escaping with a few others.

An eyewitness recounted, “The kidnappers played a fast one on us. They released about 31 victims, and we thought that was all, so we relaxed.

“We didn’t know it was a trick to make us lower our guard. Before we realised, they had gone far with about 10 others.”

A subsequent headcount revealed that about 10 persons, including the bus driver, were still missing.

It was gathered that the abandoned bus was recovered and taken to the Abocho Police Station, while security agencies have continued combing the area in search of the remaining abductees.

Security operatives have vowed to track down the kidnappers and secure the release of the remaining captives.

Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP William Ovye, for confirmation were unsuccessful, as calls to his phone did not go through at the time of filing this report.