Just In: APC Youth Leader, Wife Kidnapped Days After Lawmaker Killed

Just In: APC Youth Leader, Wife Kidnapped Days After Lawmaker Killed

  • Armed men stormed a residential street in Dekina LGA at night, targeting a prominent APC youth figure and his wife
  • A community leader revealed that kidnappers have shifted from roads to homes and farms after security pressure mounted
  • The abduction follows a string of similar incidents in Kogi State, including one that ended in the death of a sitting councillor

Armed men have abducted Arome Adaji, an All Progressives Congress youth leader in Kogi State popularly known as Iron Gate, along with his wife, Justina, from their home in Abocho, Dekina Local Government Area.

The attack took place at approximately 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Gunmen descended on the couple's residence along Ajegwuna Road, opening fire and scattering neighbours before seizing the pair and departing unhindered.

APC youth leader in Kogi local government and his wife, have been kidnapped at their residence.
APC youth leader in Kogi LG kidnapped along with his wife Photo Credit: Original
Source: Original

Premium Times reported that a resident who gave his name as Ndamodu told Daily Trust that the couple were inside their home when the shooting erupted. He said neighbours only ventured out after the assailants had gone, at which point they discovered that Mr and Mrs Adaji had been taken.

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Kogi community leader laments kidnapping

A community leader, Surveyor Eneogba, said the trend of targeting homes, farms and farm settlements across Kogi East had grown considerably. He attributed the shift to increased pressure on roads from security operatives, vigilante groups and local hunters, which he said had pushed armed gangs towards residential areas and agricultural communities instead.

The abduction is not an isolated event. In recent weeks, gunmen reportedly seized a woman and her four children as they made their way back from a burial ceremony in the same region. The family was freed only after a ransom was paid.

Kogi lawmaker kidnapped, killed

The incident also follows the reported kidnapping and subsequent death of Rosemary Adukwu, a councillor representing Ogugu Ward III in Olamaboro Local Government Area. Ms Adukwu was abducted on 30 September while travelling to Onitsha, with gunmen intercepting the commercial vehicle she was in near the Oji River axis, around the Enugu-Anambra boundary. Olamaboro Local Government Chairman Ameh Williams later confirmed that she had died while in captivity.

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When contacted for a response regarding the abduction of Mr Adaji and his wife, the Kogi State Police Command spokesperson, Saliu Oyiza Afusat, replied only with the word "Noted," offering no further information.

Tension in Kogi LG as APC local government youth leader reportedly kidnapped in the state.
Tension in Kogi LG as APC youth leader is kidnapped Photo Credit: @OfficialAPCNg
Source: Twitter

APC LG chairman shot dead in Kogi

Legit.ng earlier reported that gunmen shot and killed APC Chairman Ishaq Yunusa along the Itobe-Ochadamu Expressway in Kogi State on Thursday.

Armed attackers emerged from the surrounding bush and opened fire on motorists at about 5 pm, leaving a vehicle abandoned on the highway.

Kogi State Police confirmed the attack and launched joint security operations to rescue the abducted victim and track down the assailants.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Bada Yusuf avatar

Bada Yusuf (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Yusuf Amoo Bada is an accomplished writer with over 5 years of experience in journalism and writing, he is also politics and current affairs editor with Legit.ng. He holds B.A in Literature from OAU, and Diploma in Mass Comm. He has obtained certificates in Google's Advance Digital Reporting, News Lab workshop. He previously worked as an Editor with OperaNews. Best Editor of the Year for Politics and Current Affairs Desk (2023) by Legit.ng. Contact: bada.yusuf.amoo@corp.legit.ng