APC youth leader and wife kidnapped in Kogi

An APC youth leader in Kogi State, Arome Adaji, and his wife, Justina, have been kidnapped from their home in Abocho, Dekina Local Government Area.

The incident happened around 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Armed men stormed their house along Ajegwuna Road, shooting and causing neighbours to run for safety.

A resident named Ndamodu said Mr Adaji, also known as Iron Gate, and his wife were inside when they heard gunshots. “The sound of gunshots scared residents from coming out, as no one wanted to be caught in either crossfire or stray bullets,” he said.

According to him, residents came outside after the attackers had left and found out that the couple had been taken away.

Increasing Kidnappings

A community leader, Surveyor Eneogba, said kidnappers are increasingly targeting homes, farms, and farm settlements in Kogi East. He mentioned that security operatives, vigilantes, and local hunters have stepped up surveillance on roads.

This has forced armed groups to shift their focus to residential areas and farms. “For weeks now, the armed hoodlums have scaled down activities on roads, focusing on residences and farms or farm settlements where they are abducting people at an alarming rate,” he said.

The latest kidnapping comes as reports of other abductions continue in the area. A few weeks ago, armed men reportedly kidnapped a woman and her four children while they were returning from a burial ceremony.

According to the community, the victims were later released after a ransom was paid.

Rising Concerns

This abduction also follows the reported kidnapping and death of Rosemary Adukwu, a councillor from Ogugu Ward III in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State. Ms Adukwu was reportedly kidnapped on 30 September while travelling to Onitsha. Gunmen stopped the commercial vehicle she was in around the Oji River area, near the Enugu-Anambra boundary.

Olamaboro Local Government Chairman Ameh Williams later announced that she had died while in captivity. Her death and the recent kidnapping have raised worries about the safety of residents and travellers in Kogi State.

When asked for comment on the kidnapping of Mr Adaji and his wife, the spokesperson for the Kogi State Police Command, Saliu Oyiza Afusat, said, “Noted.” She did not give any more details.