The peace and serenity of Ogori/Magongo Communities in Kogi State may have been broken following renewed activities of kidnappers.
Since the beginning of this year, no fewer than 10 kidnap cases have been recorded on the Ageva-Magongo-Ibilo highway and Ageva-Ogori road.
Though, only one indigene of both communities have fallen victim, it is clear that it is only a matter of time before more indigenes fell victim, especially if urgent steps are not taken to stem the tide.
The first victim, it was learnt was a man, married to a woman from Ogori. He was on his way to attend the 40th day prayer of his deceased in-law when he was abducted on the Ageva-Ogori road.
He spent a couple of days with his abductors before regaining his freedom after the family had raised and paid an undisclosed amount of money as ransom.
A few days ago, a civil servant, who works with the Kogi State Water Board, was abducted on the same route on his way from work.
His abductors asked for N20 million ransom, but as at the time of going to press, it could not be ascertained how much his family paid to secure his release.
The victim, whose name was simply given as JJ works at the Water Works in Okene, but lives in Ogori with his family.
Worried by the development, the national leadership of Ogori Descendants’ Union (ODU), had to donate four brand new tyres and a battery to the Divisional Police Office in Akpafa for the use of its operational vehicle.
Making the donation, the National President, Engr. Gbemi Omole, urged the police to intensify patrol on the Ogori-Ageva road, saying that the community in recent time, is increasingly becoming unsafe.
According to him, apart from the upsurge in the activities of kidnappers, the road is also a den of robbers, revealing that countless innocent souls have been killed by robbers on the road with several others, either robbed or maimed.
The ODU, he said is making the donation to the police with the hope that the patrol vehicle would be stationed on the road to check the activities of hoodlums, who have made life a nightmare for people of the community.
Credit: Graphic
