Gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted a woman and her two children in Isanlu, headquarters of Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State, and are demanding ?100 million ransom for their release.

The victims were kidnapped during an attack on their family home in the early hours of Friday, while the husband, identified as Tokpe Gody, escaped with gunshot wounds.

A member of the Kogi State Vigilante Agency, who confirmed the incident, said the gunmen invaded the residence around 2:00 a.m., shooting sporadically before whisking away the victims.

He said: “One Tokpe Gody, residing at Bareke-Egbe in Yagba West, was attacked by unknown gunmen at about 2:00 a.m. on Friday. They abducted his wife and two children while he managed to escape with bullet wounds.”

According to the source, the kidnappers contacted the family on Friday morning through a private number, demanding ?100 million for the release of the victims.

“Medical personnel at the Egbe Hospital are battling to save the life of Tokpe, whose condition is critical. He may need to be transferred to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, for further treatment,” the source added.

The Guardian gathered that the latest incident adds to a growing wave of abductions in Kogi’s Okun land, which has witnessed persistent bandit attacks in recent months.

Since May, when the paramount ruler of Okeloke was kidnapped, the region has faced repeated assaults by heavily armed criminals who have also killed several policemen and local vigilantes in the area. (The Guardian)