From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Gunmen on Tuesday night, stormed Ibado-Akpacha community in Akpacha Ward of Ife District in Omala local government of Kogi state killing two people on the spot.
The third victim of the attack, Our Correspondent gathered, escaped with bullet wounds.
The attack was reportedly carried out between Tuesday night and early hours of today Wednesday 5th November 2025.
Our Correspondent learnt that the victims of the attack whose names could not be obtained were said to be local miners who relocated to the village two years ago due to Coal mining activities in the community.
One of the community leaders who pleaded anonymity, said, “The criminals equally carried out robbery operation breaking into people’s houses and collecting money and also breaking into shops at a junction in the village carting away consumables and assorted goods.
“We were all stranded, stuck between running out of the house to escape or remain on your bed and pray for divine protection. We only came out this morning when we were sure that the gunmen had left and headed towards the direction of the gun sound to discover the victims”
“The criminals operated for good one hour and eventually escaped without any response from the Police and the local security personnel in the community because of the superior weapons they carried which would have been a major disaster and heavy casualties to confront them”.
However, the Kogi police command was yet to responded to phone calls by Our Correspondent for confirmation as at press time.
Meanwhile, troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Lokoja, have rescued two kidnapped victims and recovered ₦3.8 million ransom meant for their release.
This was contained in a statement issued on Monday in Lokoja by the Brigade’s spokesperson, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi.
The operation was carried out on Sunday in Achigili Forest along the Itobe–Adumu–Ejule road by troops deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Oguma.
“In a sustained effort to rid Kogi State of criminal activities, the troops, acting on credible intelligence on kidnapping activities along the Itobe–Adumu–Ejule axis, learned that relatives of the abducted victims were about to deliver ransom money on November 2,” Abdullahi said.
He added that the troops immediately launched a patrol to intercept the criminals within the forest.
“While en route to the location, the soldiers came under fire from the kidnappers. In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, the troops overpowered the criminals with superior firepower, forcing them to flee into the forest with gunshot wounds,” the statement read.
The army recovered ₦3.8 million in cash—believed to be ransom money—and rescued two victims, a man and a woman, unhurt.
“The rescued victims were immediately debriefed to assist ongoing operations, while the recovered cash was returned to them. They are currently in safe custody pending formal handover to the appropriate authorities,” Abdullahi stated.
The spokesperson reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property in Kogi and across the country.
He also urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible information that could help track and eliminate criminal elements within their communities.
