Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have killed the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Alhaji Yunusa Onu, during an attack on motorists along the Itobe–Ochadamu Expressway.
The attack occurred at about 5pm on Thursday, August 27, 2026, around Ojuwo Olijo in Ofu Local Government Area, as Onu was reportedly returning from Lokoja, the state capital.
Sources familiar with the incident said the assailants emerged from the surrounding bush and blocked the highway, forcing motorists to stop. Onu reportedly attempted to escape by running into the bush but was shot by the attackers.
His remains were later recovered and taken to Grimard Hospital, Anyigba, for autopsy.
Confirming the attack, the Kogi State Police Command said armed assailants had attacked motorists along the highway, leaving a blue Toyota Corolla with registration number GWA 636 CH abandoned at the scene.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, said the driver, identified as Hon. Ishaq Yunusa, was found dead in the vehicle, while another occupant was abducted by the attackers and taken into the bush.
She said the Command had commenced a joint operation with other security agencies to comb the surrounding forests, rescue the abducted victim and arrest those responsible for the attack.
Afusat added that the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, psc, mni, had directed security personnel to sustain operations along the affected corridor and ensure that the perpetrators were brought to justice.
She urged motorists and residents along the route to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements to the police and other security agencies.
11 Kidnap Victims Rescued in Separate Attack
The latest incident came barely a day after another kidnapping attack was reported along the Aloma–Egane Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area.
According to the police, armed hoodlums attacked the route at about 4:40pm on Wednesday, August 26, around Ogene Zaria, near the Ogene Zaria/Onicha-Igo Junction.
The attackers reportedly emerged from the bush, blocked two buses travelling in opposite directions and abducted several passengers, while some others managed to escape into the surrounding bush.
Following a distress call, the Divisional Police Officer in Ofu led a joint security team to the scene, where two abandoned vehicles—a Peace Mass Transit white Hummer bus and a yellow 18-seater bus—were recovered.
The ensuing bush-combing and rescue operation resulted in the recovery of 11 abducted victims, including the drivers of the two buses.
The police said preliminary debriefing showed that most of the rescued victims were members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) travelling from Bayelsa State to Abuja.
The rescued victims were debriefed and subsequently allowed to continue their journey.
The Command said security operations were still ongoing in the surrounding forests to locate and rescue any remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators.
The two incidents have renewed concerns over the security of major highways connecting Dekina, Ofu and neighbouring communities in Kogi State.
