Gunmen have kidnapped Pa. David Obadofin, the traditional ruler of Aghara, a tiny agrarian community in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, Kogi State.
Reports say the gunmen also abducted one other person along with the traditional ruler on Monday, and killed a woman identified as Madam Toyin Onare.
It was gathered that Chief Obadofin, a major Cashew farmer, and one of his boys were seated in front of his house enjoying the cool breeze when they were jolted by a rash of gunshots jolted which threw the village into pandemonium.
Toyin, a widow who had gone to lend a hand on the farm was shot and abandoned in the poor of her own blood. while the gunmen whisked the traditional ruler and another farm hand to the bush.
One person however escaped, to tell the story.
Toyin was rushed to the hospital in Kabba, the headquarters of the LGA, about 35 minutes’ drive away. Unfortunately, she was confirmed dead on arrival.
An eyewitness said, “This is a terrible situation. Fulani herdsmen have long surrounded us. We raised alarm when they started coming, but our concerns were ignored. Now we are seeing the result. This is unfortunate. Government should quickly come to our rescue.”
Gunmen attacks are becoming regular in the area. In November, another widow narrowly survived a rape attempt in Takete Ide, when a herder attacked her on her way from the farm.
There has also been a rampage of gunmen in parts of the Kogi East Senatorial zone.
For instance, on 9 April no fewer than 8 people were killed and 40 houses razed in a gunmen attack in Oganenigu, Dekina LGA, of the state.
At the time of filling this report, the kidnappers had yet to contact the traditional ruler’s family, while the police had yet to officially react to the incident,raising the level of apprehension among the locals.
