The latest attack on passengers along the Ankpa-Adoka-Makurdi federal road in Kogi State has renewed concerns over the safety of travellers and traders using the route, after three people were reportedly killed and nine others abducted.
The incident occurred in the evening as passengers, mostly traders from Ajobe community in Ojoku District, were returning from the Nkwo Idoko Market in Awo.
The victims were travelling in a pickup van when they reportedly encountered gunmen operating along the road in Ankpa Local Government Area.
Some of the passengers reportedly attempted to escape after sighting the attackers. A resident, Yakubu Ishyaku, said the gunmen opened fire on those fleeing.
Three people — two men and a woman — were reportedly killed, while several others sustained gunshot injuries.
The deceased were later buried according to Islamic rites, Ishyaku said.
He added that nine people from Ajobe community were abducted and taken to an unknown destination.
Among those reportedly taken away was the wife of his late elder brother.
The attack has left affected families struggling to establish contact with their relatives.
Ishyaku said the abductors later contacted a family member of one of the victims in neighbouring Okaba community and demanded ₦20 million for each person in their custody.
The line was subsequently switched off, he said, leaving the family unable to establish further contact.
For the family of another victim, the concern extends beyond the ransom demand.
Achenetu Akubo said her sister, Mariam, and Mariam’s daughter were abducted during the incident.
She said the abductors demanded ₦40 million for the release of the two.
Achenetu said the family was particularly worried about Mariam’s health because she had left home without her medication.
“My sister did not go to the market with her drugs and we fear that her condition will get worse if she is not released on time,” she said.
The incident has again drawn attention to the security challenges faced by people travelling along the Ankpa-Adoka-Makurdi road.
The road is also reported to be in poor condition, a situation that residents say has complicated movement along the route.
For traders who depend on the road to access markets, the combination of poor infrastructure and insecurity presents an additional challenge to their livelihoods.
However, details of the attack remain based largely on accounts from residents and relatives of the victims.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement available from the relevant security agencies confirming the casualty figures, number of abductees or ransom demands.
The identities of all the victims were also not immediately established.
The reported attack nonetheless adds to concerns about the protection of travellers along major routes linking communities in Kogi and neighbouring states.
For the families involved, the immediate priority remains the safe return of the nine abducted persons and access to urgent assistance for those who were injured.
The circumstances surrounding the attack, including the identities of the attackers and their motives, will require further investigation by the relevant authorities.