Suspected bandits have killed an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Ayo Olukotun, and abducted his daughter alongside several other residents during a violent attack on Odo-Ere, the headquarters of Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The attack reportedly occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Monday when heavily armed assailants invaded the community, firing gunshots indiscriminately and throwing residents into panic. The sound of gunfire forced many people to flee their homes in search of safety as the attackers moved through the area unchallenged.

According to residents, the gunmen later stormed the residence of the NSCDC officer, where they shot him before whisking away his daughter and other victims into a nearby forest. The incident has heightened fears among residents over the growing insecurity in the area.

A community source disclosed that Olukotun was rushed to a nearby hospital following the attack but was pronounced dead on arrival by medical personnel. His remains have since been deposited at a mortuary.

Confirming the development, the Chairman of Yagba West Local Government Area, Hon. Tosin Olokun, condemned the attack and described the killing as a devastating loss to the community. In a statement issued on Tuesday through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Adeyemi Babarinde, the council chairman expressed condolences to the family of the slain officer and all those affected by the incident.

Olokun noted that the death of the NSCDC officer represented a painful loss not only to his immediate family but also to the people of Odo-Ere and the entire local government area. He called on residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies with credible intelligence capable of aiding efforts to combat criminal activities.

Also reacting, the member representing Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopamuro Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Leke Joseph Abejide, described the attack as barbaric and deeply disturbing. He lamented the killing of the NSCDC officer and the abduction of innocent residents, saying the incident underscored the persistent security challenges facing many communities across the country.

The lawmaker urged security agencies and the Kogi State Government to intensify ongoing rescue operations to ensure the safe and immediate release of all abducted victims, particularly the daughter of the slain officer. He further called for stronger security measures to prevent a recurrence of such attacks.

Meanwhile, concerned residents have appealed to security authorities to deploy the advanced surveillance drones recently introduced by the state government to monitor vulnerable communities and forest corridors frequently exploited by kidnappers and other criminal elements. According to them, the technology-driven security assets were acquired to enhance intelligence gathering and support rapid response operations against banditry and kidnapping.

One of the residents, Ayobami, stressed the need for authorities to maximise the use of modern surveillance equipment to strengthen security coverage across Yagba West and other high-risk areas, noting that proactive monitoring could help prevent future attacks and safeguard lives and property.

When contacted on the incident, the spokesperson for the Kogi State Police Command, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, gave a brief response, saying, “Noted.” As of the time of filing this report, the command had not issued an official statement regarding the attack.

The latest incident has once again raised concerns over the worsening security situation in parts of Kogi State, with residents calling for more decisive action to curb kidnapping, banditry and violent attacks on communities.