Tension in Kogi community as bandits kill three, kidnap traditional ruler

Tension has escalated in Okoloke, a community in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, following a deadly attack by suspected bandits on Saturday that left three people dead.

IDOMA VOICE gathered that the assailants, who had earlier abducted the traditional ruler of the community, Dada James Ogunyanda, launched a fresh assault, killing two vigilantes and a telecommunications worker, while continuing to hold the monarch hostage.

Chief Ogunyanda, a respected and graded traditional ruler, was kidnapped from his palace in the early hours of Thursday. The kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of ₦100 million but later reduced the amount to ₦12 million during ongoing negotiations.

Sources close to the talks told Channels TV that the kidnappers were informed of the monarch’s poor health and his need for regular medication. In response, they reportedly directed that his medications be delivered to a specified location for onward transfer to them.

Despite the ongoing negotiations, violence flared again on Saturday morning when armed men—believed to be the same group—ambushed local vigilantes and a telecom engineer who was inspecting a mast in the area. The attackers opened fire, killing all three individuals at the scene.

Reacting to the incident, a local resident, Olusegun Iselaye, took to Facebook to express his grief and frustration, decrying the government’s perceived inaction in addressing rising insecurity.

“We are heartbroken and outraged to report that just days after the kidnapping of our traditional ruler in Okoloke village, Yagba West, we have now lost three more innocent lives to bandit attacks in the same community,” he wrote.

Iselaye also criticised the ineffective security presence in the area, stating that military personnel deployed to the region have contributed more to civilian harassment and extortion than actual protection.

“This senseless violence is unacceptable and underscores the urgent need for effective security measures. The continued inaction on the ground is deeply concerning,” he said.

Calling for a reassessment of the security strategy in Yagba West, Iselaye urged the Kogi State Government to act swiftly and decisively.

In response, the Chairman of Yagba West LGA, Tosin Olokun, visited the affected community and assured residents that efforts were underway to secure the release of the kidnapped monarch and to curb the rising wave of banditry in the region.