Panic swept through Ayegunle Bunu community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State after suspected bandits attacked the area, killing one person and abducting more than 30 others.

The attack reportedly occurred at about 2:25 a.m., leaving residents in fear and raising fresh concerns over insecurity along major road corridors in the state.

One Killed, Several Abducted

According to preliminary reports, one person lost his life during the attack, while another sustained injuries and is receiving medical attention.

Sources within the community disclosed that two residents of Ayegunle Bunu, a man and a woman, were among those abducted by the attackers.

The majority of the victims were reportedly passengers travelling in a commercial bus that was intercepted by the gunmen while passing through the area.

Witnesses said the attackers forcefully whisked the passengers away into the bush before fleeing the scene.

Police Confirm Attack

The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, confirmed the incident while addressing journalists on the sidelines of the Passing-Out Parade of 565 newly trained police constables at the Command Headquarters in Lokoja.

Kankarofi said investigations into the attack were ongoing and assured residents that security operatives had launched efforts to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible.

Rescue Efforts Underway

The police commissioner stated that security personnel have intensified operations in the area as part of efforts to secure the release of the abducted victims.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to combating criminal activities across the state and restoring confidence among residents and road users.

Growing Security Concerns

The latest attack has renewed concerns over the rising incidents of kidnapping and banditry affecting communities and travellers across parts of Kogi State.

Residents have called on security agencies to strengthen surveillance and increase patrols along vulnerable routes to prevent further attacks.

The incident also highlights the growing threat posed by armed groups targeting rural communities and commercial transport corridors in the North-Central region.

Authorities have assured the public that every effort is being made to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.

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United States Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, has disclosed that President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon to prioritise the protection of Nigerian Christians allegedly targeted by ISIS-linked terrorist groups.

Hegseth made the revelation during a press conference at the White House on Wednesday, stating that Trump issued the directive about a year ago after receiving reports of attacks against Christians in Nigeria.

“Maybe a year ago, he heard the call of Nigerian Christians who were being targeted and killed by ISIS in Nigeria, and he said, ‘Pete, I want the War Department to focus on ensuring that we do everything we can to protect those Christians,’” Hegseth stated.

According to him, the operation involved strategic military coordination, intelligence gathering, and deployment of specialised assets to the region.

The US official further disclosed that the operation led to the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as ISIS’s second-in-command in Nigeria and a key figure allegedly linked to attacks on Christians and threats against US interests.

“And we got the assets there, and over the last month, and there hasn’t been much coverage of this, we killed ISIS number two in Nigeria, who’s most responsible for killing Christians and trying to target the US homeland,” Hegseth said.

He explained that intelligence gathered during the operation subsequently led to the elimination of several other ISIS fighters operating within the Lake Chad Basin region through joint efforts involving US and Nigerian forces.

“And have since, because of the intel we gathered, killed hundreds of ISIS members who were targeting and killing Christians in Nigeria,” he added.

Hegseth noted that the operation demonstrated the Trump administration’s commitment to counterterrorism operations and the protection of vulnerable communities facing extremist violence.

“So there are a lot of things we do that the media pays attention to, and a lot of things that the president empowers the department to do on behalf of the American people that he deserves great credit for,” he stated.

The post US Killed ISIS Commander Behind Attacks On Nigerian Christians — Hegseth appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The United Nations has called on Nigerian and Chadian authorities to launch independent investigations into recent military airstrikes that reportedly claimed civilian lives in northern Nigeria.

Speaking at a press briefing in New York on Wednesday, UN Deputy Spokesperson, Farhan Haq, said the global body shares concerns raised by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, over reports of civilian casualties linked to the incidents.

According to reports, a Nigerian military airstrike on a market in Zamfara State on May 10 allegedly left at least 100 civilians dead. In a separate incident, military operations reportedly carried out by Chadian forces were said to have killed dozens of fishermen in northwestern Nigeria, further intensifying humanitarian concerns in the region.

Haq urged both governments to conduct swift, transparent, and impartial investigations into the allegations, stressing the need for accountability.

“Those responsible for any violations must be held accountable, and all necessary measures should be taken to ensure the protection of civilians during military operations,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters has rejected reports suggesting civilian casualties occurred during a recent joint military operation in Zamfara State.

Speaking on the operation, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja said troops targeted terrorist leaders in Tumfa village, located in Shinkafi Local Government Area of the state.

He maintained that casualty figures circulating in some reports remain unverified and inconsistent with official military assessments.

Onoja reiterated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to professionalism, accountability, and safeguarding civilian lives while conducting security operations.

The development has renewed concerns over the humanitarian impact of military actions in conflict-prone areas and calls for stricter measures to prevent civilian harm.

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