Armed men have abducted an All Progressives Congress (APC) youth leader and his wife from their residence in Dekina Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi State.
The victims were taken during a raid on their home, an incident first reported by Premium Times Nigeria, which has intensified fears regarding the deteriorating security situation in the Kogi East senatorial district.
While the perpetrators have not yet made a formal ransom demand, the abduction has sent shockwaves through the political community in the state. The incident has highlighted the persistent threat posed by criminal elements operating within the region, even when targeting prominent political figures.
Dekina LGA, a key area within the Kogi East zone, has recently seen an uptick in criminal activities, including banditry and kidnappings. Residents have frequently voiced concerns that attackers are becoming more emboldened, often striking directly within residential communities rather than just along major highways.
Security concerns mount in Kogi East
The kidnapping of the political figure and his spouse follows a series of similar attacks in the Kogi East area. As criminal groups move from highway interceptions to direct home invasions, the sense of vulnerability among residents has grown significantly.
The security situation in Kogi State has been a subject of ongoing debate, with local communities calling for more proactive measures from the state government and federal security agencies. The targeting of a youth leader, who typically plays a central role in grassroots political mobilisation, is seen by many as a direct challenge to local stability and political engagement.
This trend is part of a broader security crisis affecting several North-Central states, where the proliferation of small arms and the movement of criminal groups have made traditional policing difficult. In many instances, kidnappers exploit the difficult terrain and porous boundaries between local government areas to evade capture and hide in forest reserves.
Political stakeholders in Kogi have noted that such attacks can disrupt local governance. The abduction of influential youth members can weaken the political fabric of parties and the administrative stability of the local government.
As of the time of publication, the Kogi State Police Command has yet to release an official statement regarding the deployment of search teams or the identity of the gunmen. Local leaders in Dekina are currently pushing for an emergency security meeting to address the frequency of these raids and to demand better protection for residents.
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