Gunmen

Richard Elesho

Gunmen sustained their callous attack in Okunland, Kogi State, on Wednesday night, with the abduction of 76-year-old Pastor Joe Ajayi, a retired Major of the Nigerian Army and former Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Kabba-Bunu Chapter. He was whisked away from his residence in Odo-Ape, an agrarian community along the busy Kabba-Obajana-Lokoja highway.

According to an impeccable source, the kidnapping occurred around 11:30 pm. On Wednesday, 21 May, the gunmen fired shots for over an hour before forcing the retired army officer to an unknown destination.

The source expressed concern about the deteriorating state of Ajayi’s health, compounded by leg pains and his advanced age, noting that keeping someone like that in captivity could have far-reaching consequences.

The abductors were yet to make contact at the time of this report. The incident has sparked concern in the community, with many calling for increased security measures.

Not a few places in Kogi West have suffered one form of security breach or the other in recent times.  Last week, at least three people were killed, while several others were reportedly kidnapped in the area.

The Okun Development Association, ODA, the umbrella body of sociocultural groups of the northern Yoruba people, at a press conference early this week, called attention to the wave of terrorism unleashed in the area by non-state actors and tasked the government at all levels to come to their aid.

The ODA specifically mentioned the kidnapping of Oba Dada Ogunyanda, a first-class traditional ruler in Okoloke, Yagba West Local Government Area, and called on the federal and state governments, as well as security agencies, to take action to address the situation.

It was gathered that the law enforcement agencies have embarked on actions, including air surveillance, to cleanse the area of bandits. However, the actions are yet to halt the regular breaches as the Okun countryside seems to remain under siege.