₦airaland Forum

Kogi Community Mourns As Three Residents Die After Bandits' Abduction, 30 Others Rot In Captivity


Ayetoro-Kiri community in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State has been thrown into deep mourning following the confirmation of three deaths among abducted residents, even after a painful ransom was raised and paid through communal contributions.

SaharaReporters gathered that although seven abductees were eventually released by the kidnappers, three of them were already dead on arrival, while four others are currently hospitalised and battling for their lives.

Meanwhile, about 30 residents of the community are still being held captive by bandits, with their fate remaining uncertain.

However, the latest incident has reignited anger and despair in Ayetoro-Kiri and the wider Bunu land, where residents say they have been left at the mercy of bandits amid what they describe as official negligence and worsening insecurity.

In a statement signed by the community’s spokesperson, David Ampitan, and obtained by SaharaReporters, the community lamented that instead of taking decisive steps to protect lives, rescue abducted victims, or pursue the perpetrators, authorities allegedly turned against the people.

According to the statement, the Kogi State Government, acting through the Chairman of Kabba-Bunu Local Government, responded to the community’s outcry by tear-gassing and arresting peaceful protesters who were demanding security, justice, and the rescue of their kidnapped relatives.

“Recently, scores of residents were abducted by bandits. After painful ransom payment raised through communal contributions, only seven victims were released. Sadly, three of them were already dead on arrival, while four others are currently battling for their lives in critical condition at medical facilities. About thirty innocent citizens remain in captivity, their fate uncertain,” the statement said.

Residents described the situation as a complete failure of security governance, noting that while bandits continue to operate freely — killing, kidnapping and terrorising communities — peaceful protesters are treated as criminals.

“It is both ironic and unacceptable that a government entrusted with the protection of lives and property would instead criminalise peaceful protest, while bandits roam freely, killing, kidnapping, and terrorising law-abiding citizens,” the statement added.

The people of Ayetoro-Kiri said they are exhausted by the cycle of violence and extortion.

“Our people are tired of burying loved ones, tired of selling properties and contributing scarce resources to pay ransom, and tired of living under perpetual fear while those in authority remain indifferent,” the community said.

They called on the Nigerian government, security agencies, and all relevant authorities to urgently intervene in Ayetoro-Kiri and across the Bunu district, rescue those still in captivity, restore security, and hold accountable officials accused of ignoring or enabling the crisis.

"We hereby appeal, urgently, to the Federal Government of Nigeria, security agencies, and all relevant authorities to intervene decisively in Ayetoro-Kiri and the entire Bunu district. Immediate action must be taken to rescue those still in captivity, restore security, and hold accountable all officials who enable or ignore this humanitarian tragedy.

“The lives of Bunu people matter,” the statement added. “Enough is enough.”

Previously, SaharaReporters reported that some Nigeria Police Force personnel on Friday dispersed youths from Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State with teargas as they protested worsening insecurity and the abandonment of several communities in the area.

The protesters, mostly youths from Bunuland, had blocked a major road during the peaceful demonstration, chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards to draw attention to the escalating violence and displacement of residents.

In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, the demonstrators were seen singing while holding placards with bold inscriptions such as “Bunuland Bleeds” and “Why Should We Ask for Permission to Live?”

One of the protesters, who spoke during the protest, lamented that dozens of communities had been completely deserted due to persistent attacks and killings.

“We have 44 communities in Bunuland. Those communities have been deserted,” the protester said.

“Communities like Kayetoro, Kiri, Ole, and others. The last time people were killed in Ole, about three people were murdered. Many more have been killed over time.”

He added that fear and insecurity had forced residents to flee their ancestral homes.

“There is nobody left in those communities. People have abandoned their homes. The police are here now, and they have been shooting teargas at us,” he said.

Despite the teargas attack, the protesters insisted they would not back down from demanding urgent action from the government and security agencies.

“But we are resolute. We are not leaving here. We are resolute,” the protester declared.

However, the protest was eventually disrupted when police fired multiple rounds of tear gas, forcing the demonstrators to disperse and clearing the road.

autoez:
You kidnap person, collect money and spend the money. Why not steal what you're buying instead of kidnapping anyone in the first place. Just enter store or market go thief instead of inflicting pain on innocent people. Kidnappers should not be shown any mercy. They should be beheaded immediately they're caught. Wicked, greedy, heartless, lazy, ruthless, evil people.

iwaeda:
https://saharareporters.com/2026/01/03/kogi-community-mourns-three-residents-die-after-bandits-abduction-30-others-rot

Kingray10:
There's is a well paid igp in that state,and the state has a military barracks also.
What's the purpose of the police n military

Brendaniel:

And who is supposed to catch them or stop them?

The question you should be asking is: Why is Tinubu showing them mercy ?

The very same Tinubu you support, and you are here acting like you care, you don't...

autoez:
Suggest how to catch kidnappers if you were made IG of police. Leave Tinubu out of these. We are Nigerians. Let's work together for a better Nigeria. How can we catch this guys?
Your suggestion could save many lives.

Over to you sir, Nigeria is listening

Leave Tinubu out of this as how

So Nigerians should leave Tinubu and defend themselves while the ceremonial chief security officer of the federation continues to feed fat on Nigerians sweats through taxation and what not

Did you and your likes leave Jonathan out of the conversation when Boko Haram was ravaging the North east and Abuja just over a decade ago

fuckingAyaya:
If reasonable people talk now they will keep screaming "after 8years power returns to the north" just imagine the level of confidence and impunity at which bandits openly attack villages

iwaeda:
https://saharareporters.com/2026/01/03/kogi-community-mourns-three-residents-die-after-bandits-abduction-30-others-rot

autoez:
Suggest how to catch kidnappers if you were made IG of police. Leave Tinubu out of these. We are Nigerians. Let's work together for a better Nigeria. How can we catch this guys?
Your suggestion could save many lives.

Over to you sir, Nigeria is listening