By Paul Daniel l June 1, 2026
LOKOJA, NIGERIA — Fear and outrage have gripped residents of Kogi State after heavily armed attackers stormed a community in the early hours of Monday, killing many and abducting more than 30 people, including passengers travelling in a commercial bus.
The attack occurred in Ayegunle Bunu, a community in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, where suspected terrorists reportedly invaded the area at about 2:25 a.m., firing gunshots and causing widespread panic among residents. According to local sources, one resident was killed during the assault while another sustained injuries.
Witnesses said the attackers operated for several minutes without resistance as frightened residents fled for safety. During the raid, the gunmen reportedly abducted at least two members of the community, including a man and a woman, before extending the operation to travellers passing through the area.
In what residents described as a coordinated operation, the armed men allegedly intercepted a commercial bus travelling through the community, forcing passengers out of the vehicle before marching them into a nearby forest. Local reports indicated that more than 30 people were kidnapped during the incident.
The identities of many of the abducted passengers had not been officially released as of the time of filing this report. Families of those missing were said to be anxiously awaiting information as security agencies begin efforts to trace the victims and their captors.
Residents expressed frustration over the recurring security challenges facing communities in the area, noting that attacks, kidnappings, and violent raids have become increasingly common across parts of Kogi State. Community members said many people now live in constant fear, particularly in rural areas where armed groups often strike with little warning.
The latest attack adds to a growing list of violent incidents reported in Kogi and surrounding states in recent months. Security concerns have intensified across several communities as criminal gangs and armed groups continue to target villages, highways, and commercial transport routes for kidnappings and other attacks.
As of Monday afternoon, security authorities had yet to issue a detailed official statement regarding the Ayegunle Bunu attack. However, residents and local leaders are calling for urgent military and police intervention to secure the area and rescue those still being held captive.
The incident has renewed concerns about the vulnerability of rural communities and travellers in parts of Nigeria, where attacks on roads and isolated settlements continue to pose major security challenges despite ongoing counter-crime operations.
For families of the abducted victims, attention now remains focused on rescue efforts, as fears grow over the safety of those taken into the forest during the deadly overnight raid.