Kogi: Kidnapping of Four Family Members Signals Growing Insecurity

The kidnapping of four members of a single family in the Zango community of Adavi Local Government Area, Kogi State, has once again drawn attention to rising concerns over the safety of residents—particularly women and children—amid increasing incidents of abduction and violent attacks across the state.

The incident occurred around midnight in Zone 12, a peri-urban part of Zango, when armed men believed to be bandits invaded a household and abducted members of the family, leaving the neighbourhood in shock. Following intervention by security operatives, two of the abducted persons—an elderly woman and a two-year-old child—were later discovered abandoned in nearby bushes. However, two other family members are still unaccounted for.
Residents said the attack has heightened fear in the community, with many women and children now afraid to move around at night. According to locals, the incident has reinforced a sense of vulnerability among households already unsettled by recurring security breaches.
The Zango abduction adds to a string of similar cases reported in different parts of Kogi State in recent months, suggesting that criminal groups are expanding their operations beyond traditionally volatile rural areas. In mid-December 2025, gunmen reportedly stormed an Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) service in Aiyetoro Kiri, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, abducting 13 worshippers after opening fire during Sunday worship. During the incident, five of the attackers were said to have been killed following a confrontation with local hunters and security forces.
Such attacks on places of worship have become increasingly frequent. Earlier in December, another church service in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area, was disrupted when a pastor, his wife, and several worshippers were kidnapped—underscoring a troubling pattern of assaults on soft targets where families often gather.
Kidnappings have also been reported during daylight hours. On January 10, gunmen allegedly abducted a commuter along the Egbe–Okoloke Road in Yagba West, further deepening anxiety among travellers and roadside communities.
In response, the Kogi State Government has said it is stepping up efforts to combat criminal activities. State authorities have reiterated their determination to apprehend those responsible for kidnappings and ensure the safe release of all victims, describing ongoing security operations as part of a wider strategy to curb crime.
Despite these assurances, fear persists in many peri-urban and rural communities. Women in Zango and other affected areas told The Guardian that they now avoid travelling after dark, especially with children, due to the increasing frequency of raids and abductions. Security analysts note that the trend points to the growing mobility of armed groups and inadequate security coverage outside major urban centres.
With attacks occurring in homes, churches, and along highways, experts warn that women and children are bearing the brunt of the insecurity—both as direct victims and as members of families whose freedom of movement and livelihoods are increasingly constrained by persistent threats.