An unspecified number of residents are feared abducted following a fresh attack by suspected bandits on Omi-Ara community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The attack reportedly took place in the early hours of Tuesday, throwing the community into panic.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the exact number of those taken nor their identities had been officially confirmed.
Residents said security agencies were alerted shortly after the incident, but the state police command had yet to issue an official statement.
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP William Aya, were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages sent to him were not returned.
The Yagba axis has, in recent months, witnessed repeated incidents of kidnapping and armed attacks.
Between August and November, gunmen reportedly attacked two churches in the area a Cherubim and Seraphim church and an ECWA church during which a pastor and his wife were abducted.
In a related development, Odo-Ere community in the same local government area was attacked on Sunday night, with at least four residents taken away.
Those abducted during that incident were identified as Shina Ajere, Kehinde Afolabi, Damilola Ogun and a woman popularly known as Iya Lara.
Residents of Omi-Ara said the latest attack was marked by chaos, as gunshots rang through the community, forcing many to flee their homes in fear.
They added that the total number of victims from Tuesday’s raid remains unclear.
Community members have appealed to security agencies and the Kogi State Government to urgently deploy more personnel to the area and intensify efforts to rescue those abducted and restore calm.