Ambulance tranporting corpse for burial attacked by gunmen, undertaker killed

Segun Adekoya, the director of an ambulance, was killed over the weekend when unknown gunmen ambushed the ambulance vehicle on the Egbe-Ogbe-Ponyan road in Kogi State’s Yagba East Local Government Area.

Around 5 p.m. on Saturday, Adekoya and his group were on their way back to Egbe from a burial service in the neighboring Ponyan community when the incident occurred.

Reports indicate that the group had been transporting a corpse from a hospital in Egbe, located in Yagba West Local Government Area, to Ponyan for burial when the ambush occurred.

The gunmen opened fire on the ambulance, fatally wounding Adekoya and causing widespread shock in the region.

“The undertaker group headed by Aegun Adekoya is loved greatly in the community, because of its quality service delivery at funeral or burial ceremony.

“He bought a well equipped ambulance on 24th December 2024, with the assistance of people to ease smooth operation of his chosen profession in the community.

“On Saturday morning, with his workers , he took a corpse for burial from Egbe hospital to Ponyan, prosecuting it successfully.

“Shortly after fixing a punctured tire on his way back , he ran into an ambush of the hoodlums, numbering about 30.

“While others escaped from the scene , he could not, as an accident that affected one of his legs years ago rendered it useless, making him to always shuffle in walking .

“His life less body was picked up on Sunday morning beside the road , shortly after farmers spotted it and raised alarm,” said Ademola Ganiyu, a resident of Egbe.

Residents of Yagba East Local Government Area in Kogi State are pointing to the ongoing herders-residents conflict and the growing presence of kidnappers in the region as potential causes behind the recent attack on an ambulance that led to the death of Segun Adekoya.

Many locals believe the gunmen responsible for the ambush could be linked to the ongoing tension between herders and residents, while others attribute the violence to the activities of kidnappers who have been operating in the area for months.

In a related incident, residents reported that another individual was kidnapped along the same route on Saturday, the same day as the ambulance attack.

The victim’s motorcycle and personal belongings were recovered from the scene, but the identity of the kidnapped person remains unclear as investigations continue.

Community leaders have strongly condemned the killing and expressed deep concerns about the growing insecurity in the area.

Chief Leke Akogun, a prominent community leader, lamented the frequent attacks and the resulting climate of fear that has forced many locals to stay indoors and halt their daily activities.

“Our ward (Ogbe) was once a peaceful farming community that thrived economically in Yagba West, but it has now become a hotspot for kidnappers,” said Akogun.

“These recent attacks are a stark reminder of the worsening security situation here.”

The Minority Leader in the Kogi State House of Assembly, Otunba Ibikunle Idowu, who hails from the community, echoed similar concerns.

He noted that the area’s proximity to three states—Kwara, Ekiti, and Ondo—makes it particularly vulnerable to attacks and criminal activities.

Seven Traders shot dead, others injured as gunmen reportedly invade Market

Suspected bandits attacked the Ngalda livestock and major market in Yobe State’s Fika Local Government Area, killing at least seven people—mostly traders—and injuring eleven more.

Around 6 p.m., the attackers opened fire indiscriminately while robbing stores and cattle dealers during the weekly market in Ngalda, the Fika LG headquarters.

Dauda Yakubu Damazai, a social media aide to the Fika LG Chairman, confirmed the casualties, telling Daily Trust that the seven victims were local traders from both the main and cattle markets, who tragically lost their lives in the attack.

“Yesterday evening (Monday), the Ngalda cattle and main market was attacked by unknown gunmen. Seven innocent people were killed by the attackers.

“At least eleven people sustained injuries. They were rushed to the General Hospital, Fika for medical treatment. Thank God three of the bandits were killed by the security agencies and vigilantes.

“The council chairman of Fika LG, Hon Audu Bukar Gadaka, had paid a sympathy visit to the victims and prayed for Allah to forgive them and wished quick recovery to those who are hospitalised,’’ he said.

Confirming the attack, the Police Public Relations Officer in Yobe State, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, revealed that a group of six armed robbers, led by Datti Alhaji Dadji from Ngalda town, carried out the assault.

The attack resulted in seven deaths and 11 injuries. The robbers also made off with an estimated N16.5 million.

“In response, the people of Ngalda town mobilised and killed three of the robbers, while three others escaped with injuries.

“The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) led a team of patrol officers to Alhaji Dadji’s house, where they recovered a locally made pistol with three cartridges. Alhaji Dadji was arrested and is currently in police custody, facing interrogation as the investigation unfolds.

“The victims and corpses were evacuated to the General Hospital Fika for medical treatment and autopsy. The Commissioner of Police, CP Garba Ahmed, has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident and called for calm,” he added.

Notorious Cultist on Police’s wanted list shot dead in cult clash

About a week after four people were killed in a cult-related clash in Owo, the headquarters of Owo Local Government Area in Ondo State, a 40-year-old suspected cultist was killed on Sunday.

The suspected cultist, Nasir Isiaka, who was described as notorious, was shot at close range in the Gbanasa area of the town by two masked men.

While confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the police command in the state, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, stated that Isiaka had been on police’s wanted list due to his alleged involvement in violent crimes in the state.

According to her: “On getting to the scene, the police discovered that the deceased was a cultist who participated in the #EndSARS protests, attacked the Uso Division, and stole an AK-47 and bulletproof vest belonging to the police.

“He also participated in the killing of one Adedeji Rafiu, aka PA. His remains have been deposited in the mortuary by the police, and efforts are underway to apprehend the men behind the mask.”