Gunmen believed to be kidnappers have reportedly severed the hands of three victims before releasing them in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The most recent victim, Lanlege Adewale, from Ogbe, a neighboring town to Egbe in the Yagba community, was abducted on Saturday and had his hand chopped off by the kidnappers, who did not demand ransom. Two other victims, a driver and an unidentified person, are reportedly in critical condition and receiving treatment in an Egbe hospital.
According to locals, Adewale and four others were kidnapped when their car was ambushed on the road between Egbe and Ikoro in Yagba. The gunmen, wearing military uniforms and carrying AK-47 rifles, stopped the vehicle and took all five occupants—two men and three women—into the forest that stretches into Kwara and Ekiti states. One local, Olaoye Adeola, described how the victims were whisked into the forest by motorcycle riders after the ambush.
A family member, speaking anonymously, said Adewale was released after his hand was cut off without any ransom being requested, and they expressed disbelief at how he survived with severe blood loss for hours. Another victim, whose identity remains unknown, is reportedly critically ill in the hospital, while a driver who was also mutilated by the same kidnappers weeks ago continues to receive medical care in the hospital in Egbe.
The local community is now living in fear, as the kidnappers’ actions have introduced a terrifying new level of violence, according to residents like Babajide, who spoke on behalf of others in Egbe.
