Gunmen have killed the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Ishaq Yunusa, and abducted another occupant of his vehicle in a fresh attack along a major highway in the state.
The incident occurred at about 5pm on Thursday, 27 August, along the Itobe–Ochadamu Expressway, near Ojuwo Olijo in Ofu Local Government Area.
The attack came barely 24 hours after gunmen abducted several National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other passengers along another road in Ofu LGA.
The Kogi State Police Command confirmed Yunusa’s killing in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, ASP Saliu Afusat.
According to the police, the attackers emerged from the surrounding bush and opened fire on motorists.
A blue Toyota Corolla with registration number GWA 636 CH was later found abandoned along the highway.
“The driver, identified as Hon. Ishaq Yunusa, was found dead in the vehicle, while another occupant was taken into the bush by the assailants,” the statement said.
The police said Yunusa’s remains had been evacuated to Grimard Hospital, Anyigba, for autopsy.
It added that security personnel, working with other agencies, had intensified operations in the area and were combing the surrounding forest in an attempt to rescue the abducted passenger and apprehend the attackers.
The Commissioner of Police, Naziru Bello Kankarofi, ordered sustained security operations along the affected corridor and directed officers to ensure that those responsible for the attack were brought to justice.
The command also urged motorists and residents along the route to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to the police or other security agencies.
The killing occurred a day after gunmen attacked two buses carrying passengers, including NYSC members, along the Aloma–Egane Expressway in Ofu LGA.
The corps members were travelling from the NYSC orientation camp in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State towards Abuja when the attackers emerged from the bush near the Ogene Zaria–Onicha-Igo Junction at about 4.40pm on Wednesday.
The gunmen blocked two buses travelling in opposite directions and abducted some of the passengers, while others escaped into the surrounding bush.
The police said a joint security team led by the Divisional Police Officer in Ofu recovered two abandoned buses and launched a coordinated search operation.
The operation resulted in the rescue of 11 abducted victims, including the drivers of the two buses. Preliminary debriefing showed that most of those rescued were NYSC members.
The rescued victims were traveling from Bayelsa to Abuja after completing their orientation program.
The latest attack has heightened concerns over the security of major roads in Kogi, particularly the Ofu axis, where two separate abduction incidents have been reported within 48 hours.
The police said operations were continuing to locate any remaining abductees and bring the perpetrators of the attacks to justice.
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