Tension has engulfed the Isanlu community in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State after suspected bandits brutally murdered a 70-year-old woman, Mrs. Elizabeth Olorunshola, who was abducted alongside another victim on Saturday night.
The tragic incident, which occurred along the Ilafin–Isanlu Road, has thrown the quiet town into mourning and triggered widespread protests as residents demanded justice and greater government action to protect rural communities from increasing attacks.
According to community sources, Mrs. Olorunshola and another unidentified person were kidnapped while traveling home on Saturday evening. The gunmen reportedly ambushed them on the deserted road, forcing them into the nearby forest. However, when the kidnappers realized that the elderly woman could not keep up with their pace due to exhaustion, they allegedly killed her and left her body behind.
Her remains were found on Sunday morning by local hunters and vigilantes who had joined the search party organized by the community. The discovery sparked anger and grief, with residents taking to the streets to protest the rising insecurity in Yagba East and other parts of Kogi State.
Eyewitnesses said hundreds of residents gathered around the Ilafin–Isanlu axis to express their anger over what they described as “government failure” to protect lives and property. Some protesters reportedly blocked sections of the road, demanding urgent security reinforcement from both the state and federal governments.
The killing also triggered panic among villagers, with reports indicating that some families began relocating to nearby towns such as Egbe and Mopa for safety.
A community elder who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “This is not the first time criminals have attacked our people along this road. We have been crying for help for years, but nothing has been done. Now, they have killed a harmless old woman who could not even walk fast.”
The elder called for immediate deployment of more security operatives to the area, noting that community vigilante groups alone could not confront the heavily armed attackers.
The President of the Ilafin Development Association (IDA), Mr. Idowu Awe, described the killing as “a painful and heartless act,” noting that the community had lost one of its most respected elders.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Awe said: “Today, we had a terrible and disturbing experience that led to the loss of one of our great daughters and mothers, Mrs. Elizabeth Olorunshola. This challenge has received the attention of our elders and leaders. Discussions are ongoing on how to secure our community.”
He urged residents to remain calm while the community leaders worked with security agencies to track down the killers. Awe also appealed to the state government to support local efforts by improving security infrastructure in rural parts of Kogi State, particularly in border communities that have become vulnerable to bandit attacks.
The Chairman of Yagba East Local Government Area, Hon. (Dr.) Joshua Dare Monday, condemned the murder, describing it as “barbaric and heartbreaking.”
In a statement to journalists, Monday said: “The murder of Mrs. Olorunshola is deeply painful. We will not rest until those responsible are caught. The government is taking steps to strengthen security in this area, and we are working closely with local vigilantes and security agencies to prevent future occurrences.”
He assured residents that the local government would not abandon them and that efforts were underway to increase police patrols and intelligence gathering across rural communities.
Similarly, the Member representing Yagba East–West/Mopamuro Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Leke Abejide, expressed shock over the incident. He condemned the attack and vowed that both the kidnappers and their collaborators would face justice.
“It is disheartening that criminals continue to terrorize peaceful communities. I have spoken with the police authorities, and we will ensure that those behind this killing are apprehended. Nobody is above the law,” Abejide said.
Kogi State, located in Nigeria’s North-Central region, has in recent years witnessed a rise in violent crimes, including kidnappings, armed robbery, and banditry, particularly in its rural areas.
Yagba East Local Government, which shares borders with Ekiti and Kwara States, has become one of the hotspots for such attacks due to its forested terrain and poor road networks, which provide easy escape routes for criminals.
Several residents have been abducted in the last year, with ransom payments reportedly running into millions of naira. In June, a schoolteacher was kidnapped along the same Ilafin–Isanlu Road and was only released after her family paid a heavy ransom.
Local communities have repeatedly called on both the state and federal governments to deploy more security personnel to the area. They have also urged authorities to support local vigilante groups with logistics and communication equipment.
Governor Usman Ododo’s administration has pledged to prioritize security in all parts of the state. The governor, who assumed office earlier in 2024, has maintained that his government would not tolerate criminal activity.
In April, the state government launched a joint security task force involving the police, army, and local vigilante groups to tackle banditry and kidnapping. However, despite these measures, many rural communities say the attacks have not stopped completely.
Meanwhile, the Isanlu community has vowed to continue peaceful protests until the killers are arrested. Youth leaders have also called for the reopening of security posts that were shut down years ago due to lack of personnel.
A youth representative, Mr. Tosin Adebayo, said: “We are tired of burying our mothers, fathers, and children because of insecurity. We want real action, not just promises. The life of every citizen matters.”
As investigations continue, residents of Isanlu are urging the authorities to keep their promises and ensure that Mrs. Olorunshola’s death does not go unpunished.