Bandits Abduct Five Travellers, Injure One Along Ogbe Egbe Road in Kogi State

At least five travellers have been abducted and one person injured following a fresh bandit attack along the Ogbe to Egbe road in Kogi State, raising concerns about the persistent insecurity along rural routes in the region.

The incident occurred on Friday as a group of residents were travelling from Ogbe to Egbe to attend a wedding ceremony of an Ogbe indigene residing in Egbe. According to eyewitnesses, the travellers were ambushed by armed assailants at the boundary area between Ogbe and Koro communities.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers suddenly emerged from the surrounding bush and opened fire, causing panic among the passengers. During the attack, one person sustained gunshot injuries and was immediately rushed to an undisclosed hospital for urgent medical attention.

Five other travellers were abducted by the gunmen and taken into the bush. As of the time of filing this report, their whereabouts remain unknown, and no contact has been made by the abductors. Families of the victims are reportedly in distress as they await information on the fate of their loved ones.

The attack has heightened tension in Ogbe and neighbouring communities, with residents expressing fear and frustration over the recurrent insecurity along rural roads in Kogi State. Several residents described the Ogbe to Egbe axis as increasingly dangerous, noting that similar attacks have been reported in recent months, affecting not only travellers but also local traders and commuters.

Community leaders have urged the Kogi State Government and security agencies to strengthen patrols along vulnerable roads and take decisive action to curb the rising incidents of banditry. They stressed that without an improved security presence, residents and travellers would continue to live in fear and avoid travelling for fear of falling victim to attacks.

Security analysts have warned that the increase in bandit attacks along rural routes could have broader social and economic consequences, including disrupting local commerce and discouraging social events such as weddings, markets, and other gatherings that require travel.

Efforts to reach security authorities for official comments were unsuccessful at the time of reporting. Residents continue to appeal to both state and federal authorities to take immediate action to rescue the abducted travellers and restore a sense of safety along the Ogbe to Egbe road.