## Kogi kidnap attack A fresh terrorist attack occurred along the Isanlu Makutu–Idofin corridor in the Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State. On Saturday, SaharaReporters reported that gunmen ambushed travellers on this route, abducting several victims and forcing them into surrounding bush and riverine areas. ## Survivor’s background The survivor, identified as Ojaja Joseph, is a student from Benue State travelling to Abuja. He was heading to the Federal Capital Territory for personal reasons when the journey was violently interrupted by armed men. ## Ambush and abduction According to Joseph, the attackers suddenly blocked the road and opened fire on their vehicle. Passengers were forced out at gunpoint, robbed of valuables and marched off the main road toward isolated, forested terrain. Armed men reportedly ordered them to walk through rivers and muddy paths, using the difficult terrain to hinder any rescue effort. ## March through rivers The captives were compelled to wade through rivers and streams for an extended period under threat of being shot. Wet clothes, slippery stones and strong currents made the forced march exhausting and dangerous. The kidnappers used these river crossings both to hide their trail and to break the physical resistance of the hostages. ## Moment of escape At one point, as the group moved through particularly rough ground, Joseph noticed the guards’ attention shift. He described seizing a brief opening when one of the gunmen was distracted and another lagged behind. In that instant, he bolted into the bush, running blindly through the trees and away from the path used by the kidnappers. ## Hiding and finding help Joseph hid among thick vegetation for some time, listening for voices and gunshots while trying to stay unseen. After the sounds faded, he cautiously moved toward a more open area, eventually reaching a nearby settlement. Locals there provided initial assistance and helped him contact security operatives and his family. ## Alleged collusion with locals The survivor alleged that the attackers had support from some people living along the route. He claimed the bandits appeared to know the terrain too well and seemed to receive information on vehicle movement and possible security patrols. He suggested that informants among locals may have been guiding the group and helping them evade law enforcement. ## Perceived organised network Joseph further described the operation as highly coordinated, with clear roles assigned to different members of the gang. Some focused on blocking the road and firing at vehicles, others on herding captives, and others on navigating the bush paths and river crossings. The level of planning reinforced his belief that the kidnappers received external support and local intelligence. ## Impact on victims and community The ordeal left Joseph traumatised and physically exhausted, while the fate of other abducted passengers remained uncertain at the time of his account. Residents and travellers in the Isanlu Makutu–Idofin axis expressed renewed fear, viewing the attack as another sign that major roads in Kogi State remain unsafe and vulnerable to armed groups. > “They marched us through rivers and thick bush with guns pointed at us. If you fell or slowed down, they threatened to shoot on the spot.” > “From the way they moved and the places they passed, it was like they knew every corner and had people on the ground giving them information.” ### Author’s summary A student survivor recounts a brutal Kogi roadside abduction, forced river marches and escape, alleging that well-organised bandits rely on local informants and deep terrain knowledge.

more

Sahara Reporters — 2025-11-30