Key Takeaways
- Hon. Ishaq Yunusa, the APC chairman in Dekina Local Government Area, was shot dead on the Itobe-Ochadamu Expressway on Thursday evening.
- Gunmen reportedly dragged another occupant out of the vehicle and disappeared into the bush.
- The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the attack and says security personnel are searching the surrounding forest.
- The victim's body has been moved to Grimard Hospital, Anyigba, for an autopsy.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State is in mourning after gunmen killed its chairman in Dekina Local Government Area, Hon. Ishaq Yunusa, during a brazen attack on a busy highway. The incident unfolded on Thursday at about 5pm along the Itobe-Ochadamu Expressway, near the Ojuwo Olijo area of Ofu Local Government Area.
Attack Details
Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Afusat Saliu, confirmed the attack in a statement on Friday. She said armed assailants emerged from the surrounding bush and opened fire on motorists, causing chaos along the route. A blue Toyota Corolla with registration number GWA 636 CH was found abandoned on the highway. "The driver, identified as Hon. Ishaq Yunusa, was found dead in the vehicle, while another occupant was taken into the bush by the assailants," the statement said.
Police Response and Investigation
"The command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has intensified operations in the area," Saliu added. Personnel are now combing nearby forests to locate the abducted victim and apprehend the assailants. The deceased has been evacuated to Grimard Hospital, Anyigba, for autopsy.
Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, has ordered sustained security operations along the affected corridor and directed significant efforts to bring those responsible to justice. The command also urged motorists and residents along the route to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements to police or other security agencies. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Security Context
Thursday's assassination highlights a troubling pattern of highway attacks in Kogi and the broader North Central region. The Itobe-Ochadamu corridor is a key route connecting northern and southern Nigeria, making it attractive to armed groups involved in kidnapping and robbery. Local political leaders are especially exposed because they frequently travel between communities and state institutions.
Kogi's position as a confluence state, bordering several volatile areas, can also make policing difficult. Criminal groups often cross state lines during attacks, complicating the work of security agencies. The death of a party chairman in broad daylight underlines how violence can disrupt grassroots governance and participation.
Why This Matters
The murder of a local party leader in broad daylight is more than a single tragedy; it is a warning about the reach of armed violence into everyday political life. Securing highways and rural communities must remain a priority if Kogi's citizens are to move, participate and govern without fear.