From Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja
Palpable fear has enveloped Odo-Ape community in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Council of Kogi State as kidnappers invaded the community on Wednesday, abducting a councillor and eight others.
This comes barely a week after three persons, including an eight-year-old boy, were abducted from the same community.
Among those kidnapped is the newly elected councillor representing the Odo-Ape Ward in the Kabba-Bunu Legislative Council.
The councillor and the other eight were reportedly taken from their respective houses in the early hours of the day without resistance.
A source from the community, who requested anonymity for security reasons, confirmed that the gunmen struck at about 1 a.m. on Wednesday, shooting indiscriminately before abducting their victims.
He said the residents of Odo-Ape now live in fear, not knowing who will be the next victim. He noted that only a week ago, three persons were kidnapped from the community, including an eight-year-old boy.
The source added that seven of the victims are residents of the community (five Gwaris and two Bassa), while only the councillor is an indigene.
He called on security agencies and the state government to protect their lives and property and to secure the release of those kidnapped.
Following this development, indigenes are fleeing the community for Kabba, which is considered a safer, more cosmopolitan area.
When contacted, the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Anya, has yet to respond to messages or return calls seeking confirmation of the incident.