Traders travelling from Koro in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State to Egbe in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State for the weekly Ebu Market Day were attacked in the early hours of Tuesday, December 2, Chronicle Reporters has gathered.
The armed terrorists reportedly laid an ambush along the Koro–Egbe route, intercepting vehicles conveying traders on their routine journey to the bustling border community market.
As of press time, the exact number of abducted victims remains unclear, with authorities yet to give an official statement on the attack.
Residents of the Kwara–Kogi border communities say the incident has deepened fear in the area, which they describe as increasingly plagued by violent criminal activities despite repeated warnings to security agencies.
This latest attack comes on the heels of another security breach reported along the Oshokoshoko–Obajana highway in Kogi State, where terrorists again struck, forcing travellers to remain stranded for hours.
A video obtained by Chronicle Reporters shows dozens of commuters trapped on the highway, their vehicles lined up in long queues as they waited amid reports of ongoing gunfire exchanges between security personnel and the attackers.
A distraught traveller who filmed the scene described the harrowing situation:
“Everybody, see what is happening here. This is Oshoko Shoko in Kogi State between Kabba and Obajana. We are all stuck here,” he said, panning his camera across rows of stationary vehicles.
“We have been here for more than three hours. Kidnappers are taking over the road. We don’t know what to do… everywhere is on fire. Soldiers and these bandits are exchanging fire presently. Honestly, everywhere is stuck.”
The visibly shaken commuter continued appealing for urgent intervention:
“Nigeria, please come and save us here. We are in trouble. Everybody parked, nobody is moving. Kidnappers are taking over the road. Please, presently, we are here.”
Security agencies are yet to issue an official update on the situation as tension remains high across affected communities.