A group of armed men has kidnapped a Fulani community leader, Mallam Iliyasu, during a midnight attack on his residence at the Fulani Camp in Shagari Village, Lokoja, Kogi State.
The attack, which took place around 12:20 a.m. on Thursday, threw the village into panic. According to a source from the community, the gunmen broke into the house, fired several shots into the air, and forcefully dragged Mallam Iliyasu away to an unknown location.
In the process, the kidnappers shot his wife and son, Abdulsalam, as they tried to stop them. His wife was shot in the arm, while his son was hit in the leg. Both victims were rushed to Ashafa Hospital, where they are receiving treatment. Medical staff say their condition is stable.
Security personnel who later arrived at the scene found 17 empty AK-47 bullet shells, pointing to the heavy firepower used during the attack.
Confirming the incident, a relative of the victim, Alhaji Ahmadu Yusuf, appealed to the authorities for swift action to rescue the abducted community leader.
The incident adds to growing concerns over rising insecurity in Kogi State and other parts of Nigeria, where kidnapping for ransom has become a recurring threat.
