Suspected Bandits Kill Two Teenage Girls in Kogi

Tragedy struck in Okekwu village near Ogbogbo, in Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State, as suspected armed bandits gruesomely murdered two teenage girls, Ajuma Simon, aged 17, and Omojo Shuaibu, aged 18.

The heartbreaking incident occurred on Wednesday evening around 7 p.m. when the girls were returning from Ega market. They were reportedly ambushed along a secluded bush path, about two kilometers from their village. According to eyewitness accounts, the assailants—believed to be armed bandits—attacked the girls with the intent to rape them. When the victims attempted to flee, the attackers chased them down and brutally butchered them with machetes.

An eyewitness, Yahaya Edibo, recounted the horrifying scene. “Those who heard the victims shouting and calling for help during the attack responded too late. By the time they arrived at the scene, the victims had already been dismembered. One of them was still breathing and said the attackers tried to rape them before she passed,” he said.

Local security operatives and youths from the community reportedly mobilized to the scene early Thursday morning to recover the mutilated bodies. The remains of the two girls have been deposited at a morgue in Idah, the administrative center of Idah Local Government Area.

In response to the incident, the Kogi State Police Command has deployed personnel to Okekwu village and surrounding areas to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order. Authorities say investigations are underway to track down the perpetrators of the heinous act.

The Igalamela chapter of the Ukomu Igala socio-cultural organization expressed deep concern over the rising cases of violent attacks and banditry in the area. The group called on the Kogi State Government to act swiftly by strengthening security presence and infrastructure in rural communities to prevent further loss of innocent lives.

The community remains in mourning as families, residents, and leaders demand justice for the slain girls and greater efforts to combat the worsening insecurity in the region.