By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
Suspected bandits have released a video showing residents of Aiyetoro-Kiri community who were recently kidnapped in Kiri, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, sparking renewed fear and anxiety across the area.
In the distressing footage, the abducted victims, whose exact number could not be independently verified, were seen in a forested location, visibly shaken and pleading for help.
Speaking in turns, they appealed directly to the Federal Government, the Kogi State Government and the Kabba-Bunu Local Government to urgently intervene and secure their freedom.
The victims said they were ordinary community members who had committed no crime, stressing that their families lack the capacity to meet any ransom demands.
They called on authorities and well-meaning Nigerians to come to their aid, warning that their situation in captivity was deteriorating.
The abduction reportedly followed a violent attack on Kiri community, during which gunmen stormed the area, firing sporadically and causing residents of Aiyetoro-Kiri and surrounding villages to flee for safety.
The incident has since led to the displacement of several families, many of whom are now seeking refuge in nearby towns.
Local sources told our correspondent that economic activities in the area have been severely disrupted, as farmers have abandoned their farmlands for fear of further attacks.
Schools and markets in nearby settlements are also said to be operating below capacity due to the lingering insecurity.
Relatives of the kidnapped victims described the video as heartbreaking, saying it confirmed their worst fears.
They appealed to security agencies, traditional rulers and political leaders to intensify efforts to rescue the captives alive and restore peace to the community.
Residents further accused security agencies of slow response, urging the government to deploy more personnel to forested areas around Kabba-Bunu, which they claim have become hideouts for criminal elements.
As of press time, neither the Kogi State Government nor the Nigeria Police Force had issued an official statement on the video or the status of rescue operations. However, community leaders insist that urgent action is needed to prevent the situation from escalating.
The latest incident has once again brought to the fore the growing challenge of banditry and kidnapping in parts of Kogi State and the North-Central region, reinforcing calls for decisive security reforms.
As echoed in the emotional plea of the captives, many Nigerians continue to cry out: âGod help us in Nigeria.â
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