By Our Correspondent

National News — Panic and fear gripped residents of Ayegunle Bunu community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State in the early hours of Monday after suspected bandits launched a deadly attack that left one person dead and more than 30 others abducted.

The attack, which reportedly occurred around 2:25 a.m., also left another resident injured, according to preliminary reports from the community.

Sources disclosed that among those kidnapped were two residents of Ayegunle Bunu, identified as a man and a woman. The majority of the victims, however, were said to be passengers travelling in a commercial bus intercepted by the gunmen while passing through the area.

The incident has heightened security concerns in the state amid renewed attacks by criminal elements targeting communities and motorists.

Confirming the attack, Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Kankarofi, said security operatives had commenced investigations and intensified efforts to rescue the abducted victims.

Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the passing-out parade of 565 newly trained police constables at the Command Headquarters in Lokoja, the police commissioner assured residents that security agencies were working tirelessly to track down the perpetrators.

“We have launched operations aimed at rescuing the victims and bringing those responsible for the attack to justice,” he said.

The latest incident adds to the growing concerns over insecurity in parts of Kogi State, with residents calling on security agencies to strengthen surveillance and protection of vulnerable communities and major highways.

As of the time of filing this report, no group had claimed responsibility for the attack, while efforts to secure the release of the abducted persons were ongoing.