Gunmen have killed the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Hon. Ishaq Yunusa, and abducted another occupant of his vehicle, police say.
The attack occurred on Thursday along the Itobe-Ochadamu Expressway, near Ojuwo Olijo in Ofu Local Government Area of the state.
The Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Afusat Saliu, confirmed the incident in a statement made available to journalists in Lokoja on Friday.
According to Saliu, the attack happened at about 5 p.m. when armed assailants emerged from surrounding bush and opened fire on motorists along the route. A blue Toyota Corolla, with registration number GWA 636 CH, was subsequently found abandoned on the highway.
“The driver, identified as Hon. Ishaq Yunusa, was found dead in the vehicle, while another occupant was taken into the bush by the assailants,” the statement said.
Saliu said the police command, working with other security agencies, had intensified operations in the area, with personnel combing the surrounding forest to locate and rescue the abducted victim and apprehend the assailants.
She added that the deceased had been evacuated to Grimard Hospital, Anyigba, for an autopsy, while the command continues to pursue all available leads in connection with the incident.
The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, has directed sustained security operations along the affected corridor and ordered efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The command has urged motorists and residents along the route to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious movements to the police or other security agencies.
