Attackers Exploit Weak Security along Kogi–Kwara Forest Routes: Experts
By Segun Onibiyo
(Egbe, Kogi State) Armed men linked to the Ansaru terrorist insurgency raided Egbe county (Local Government Area) Saturday night (March 7), abducting farmers and travelers from Christian communities, according to Egbe Mekun Media.
Locals said the attackers struck near Path Way Hotel around 9 p.m., firing sporadically before herding victims into nearby forest paths commonly used for rapid getaway by rural armed crews.
Eyewitnesses said a towel believed to belong to one of the abducted residents was later found near a foot trail leading into dense bushes, suggesting captives were hurried across secret paths frequently used by kidnapping networks operating in Kogi’s forest belt.
Victims, Ransom Demands, and Local Outcry
Community sources told TruthNigeria that at least five people were abducted between March 7 and March 8 across Yagba West County, including farmers, travelers, and a Christian pastor journeying along the Eruku–Egbe road. One victim was later released under unclear circumstances.
Families said ransom demands emerged quickly. In one case, abductors reportedly insisted on ₦3 million Naira ($2000) for the release of Mrs. Bolajoko Grace Kolade, seized during the Egbe raid.
Relatives and church members began raising funds while appealing for urgent government intervention to prevent further abductions.
Ansaru‑Linked Network Identified
Security analysts told TruthNigeria that the tactics and timing of Saturday’s raid resemble attacks by Ansaru‑linked kidnapping cells operating in forest corridors across Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
“These attackers use Ansaru‑style tactics seen in earlier kidnappings across Kogi and neighboring states,” said Tony Nyam, retired Nigerian Army colonel and security analyst based in Scotland.
Colonel Nyam explained that “They often strike rural Christian communities, use motorcycles, and retreat quickly into forest routes where security patrols are thin.”
Ansaru emerged in 2012 as a splinter faction from Boko Haram, targeting travelers, Christians, and foreign nationals for ransom. They mainly operate in Kogi State, North-Central Nigeria.
Smaller Ansaru-aligned networks are believed to operate covertly across forest belts in Kogi, Kwara, Niger, and Kaduna states, relying heavily on kidnappings for ransom, highway ambushes, and raids on isolated settlements to fund operations.
Security Response and Coordination Gaps
Residents reported that soldiers stationed near Okoloke engaged suspected attackers in a firefight on March 6 during an earlier abduction attempt, but victims were not recovered.
Local leaders blamed failure of teamwork between the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps. Community members urged greater cooperation with Amotekun Corps and local vigilante units (neighborhood watch groups) in neighboring Kwara to close response gaps along the corridor.
Retired Brigadier General Samuel Obiora, security analyst based in Lagos, said fragmented responses weaken overall security.
“These groups strike where patrols are thin and response times slow”, Retired Brigadier General Samuel Obiora told TruthNigeria.
“Security forces must adopt intelligence-led operations backed by local information,” Obiora added.
“When agencies operate in silos, kidnappers move faster than responders. Joint task forces supported by community intelligence networks can disrupt ransom operations,” Obiora noted.
Rising Highway Ambushes Across Western Kogi
The latest abductions follow a pattern of highway ambushes and rural kidnappings that have plagued Kogi’s Yagba corridor into early 2026.
In late February, armed gangs ambushed travelers near Isanlu Makutu, firing at vehicles, burning a cashew truck, and abducting passengers before disappearing into nearby bushes.
Local authorities said the incident forced emergency movement restrictions and heightened fear in communities already reeling from repeated attacks.
Analysts said the region’s dense forests and poorly monitored roads provide ideal conditions for gangs to stage quick raids before retreating to remote hideouts.
Local leaders in Egbe and neighbouring villages warned farmers to avoid bush paths and isolated farmland.
Volunteer vigilante patrols have increased, but residents say these efforts cannot replace sustained security deployments.
“This is a classic insurgent ambush pattern,” BG Obiora told TruthNigeria.
“These attackers watch civilians’ routines – market travel, church, and farming routes – then choose predictable times and places to strike,” Obiora said.
Protests earlier in Egbe reflected mounting frustration, as residents demanded a stronger military presence and coordinated response rather than intermittent policing.
Kogi–Kwara and Wider Middle Belt Threats
Security analysts warn that the Kogi–Kwara kidnapping mirror patterns across Nigeria’s Middle Belt, including Kaduna and Niger states.
Forest hideouts such as the hostage-camp compound near Rijanna in Kaduna State and woodland camps in Niger State serve as long-term operational dens where captives can be held for weeks or months.
“These kidnapping networks rarely rely on a single base,” Colonel Nyam explained.
“Multiple forest corridors allow them to rotate captives and evade patrols, complicating security responses,” Obiora said.
“Without a synchronized national strategy, the threat could spread deeper into central and southern Nigeria.” Obiora concluded.
Recent Attacks in Kogi–Kwara Forest Corridor
· February 28, 2026 — Ambush near Isanlu Makutu: Gunmen attacked vehicles, burned trucks, and abducted travelers along a highway linking northern and southern Kogi.
· December 2025 – Church Service Kidnapping: Armed men stormed worship in Ejiba, abducting a pastor and church members.
· January 2026 — Pastor, Farmer Killed in Forest Raid: Gunmen killed a pastor and a farmer near rural settlements, retreating into forest corridors.
Residents Living in Fear
Many residents now avoid travel and church services after dark. Community elder Jesutofunmi Bello said insecurity has disrupted farming and local commerce.
“We cannot continue living in fear while armed men roam our forests and roads,” Bello told TruthNigeria.
“We urge authorities to act strongly and protect our people before more lives are lost,” Bello said.
Security analysts say reducing kidnappings will require coordinated action across all security formations, shared intelligence, and integration of community vigilance into formal security frameworks.
