Terrorists have launched a fresh attack along the Isanlu Makutu–Idofin corridor in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State, heightening fear among residents and travellers in a region already grappling with repeated security breaches.
The attackers were said to have struck suddenly on Saturday afternoon, forcing people in the area to flee for safety as confusion spread across nearby communities. Eyewitnesses reported that several persons were feared abducted, although the exact number of victims had yet to be confirmed as details remained sketchy.
Local sources said the incident triggered widespread tension, with many residents remaining indoors while travellers diverted routes to avoid the troubled highway. Security agencies were alerted, and operatives were reportedly mobilising to the scene at the time of filing the report.
The latest attack comes just days after twenty-one passengers, including women and a nine-day-old infant, were rescued following coordinated assaults by bandits on multiple vehicles along major highways in Kogi State. That earlier incident saw passengers fleeing into bushes as gunmen attempted to abduct occupants of vehicles travelling through the ever-busy corridor around 2pm.
No fewer than 100 bandits were said to have laid siege to vehicles moving in different directions, targeting a Toyota Sienna (YAB 968 AX) travelling from Oshogbo to Kaduna, a Toyota Hiace bus (7BGT-78LG) from Owo to Abuja, another Hiace (GKP 178 XA) heading to Ekiti, a Toyota Carina (JMU 648 AA) from Lokoja to Kabba, a Dangote truck transporting 900 bags of cement, and a J5 bus (FTA 313 XV) conveying pepper from Kano to Lagos.
A joint team comprising operatives of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Quick Response Unit, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, local vigilantes and hunters swiftly mobilised in response and engaged the attackers. The rescue team successfully secured twenty-one passengers identified as Moses Oladimeji, Adele Jacob, Obed Onche, Babayemi Ajayi, Funmilayo Ajayi, Samuel Olawoyin, Samuel Job, Jemima Joseph, Nanko Joseph, Enenche Paulina and Bright Enenche.
Others included Rachael Enenche, Deborah Enenche (9 days old), Bukola Clement, Toyin Clement, Glory Clement, Faith Clement, Peter Olawale, and the drivers of the Dangote truck and the J5 bus. However, the security operation recorded casualties, with a soldier attached to the Oshokoshoko sector and a vigilante from Odoape community fatally hit during the shootout. Their identities had not yet been released.
The renewed violence on the Isanlu Makutu–Idofin axis adds to an alarming pattern of insecurity across Nigeria’s highway network, particularly in the North-Central region, where recent months have seen intensified attacks on motorists, abductions of travellers and mounting pressure on overstretched security formations.
The persistent assaults have raised concern among residents and transport operators, many of whom have repeatedly appealed for sustained military presence and reinforced security infrastructure along major inter-state routes. As security operatives move to contain the latest incident, communities across Yagba East continue to wait anxiously for clarity on the number of victims taken and the outcome of ongoing operations.
