Five Women Freed After ₦12m Ransom in Kogi, Three Still Held

Five Women Freed in Kogi After ₦12 Million Ransom Payment, Three Victims Still Missing

January 2026

Residents of a community in Kogi State have expressed mixed emotions after five women abducted by armed kidnappers were released, following the payment of a ₦12 million ransom, while three other victims remain in captivity.

According to community accounts, the victims were taken during a violent attack that left families traumatized and forced residents into days of negotiations with the kidnappers. The abductors reportedly demanded a large ransom, prompting relatives, community leaders, and well-wishers to pool resources together to secure the release of some of the victims.

After the payment was made, five women were freed and reunited with their families, bringing temporary relief to the community. However, the joy was short-lived as three abducted persons were not released, raising serious concerns over their safety and wellbeing.

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Local sources say negotiations are still ongoing, but the situation has deepened fear among residents, many of whom now sleep with one eye open amid rising insecurity in the area.

This incident adds to the growing number of kidnapping cases across parts of Nigeria, where criminal groups continue to exploit vulnerable communities, often forcing families to choose between financial ruin and the lives of their loved ones.

Residents are now calling on security agencies and government authorities to intensify efforts to rescue the remaining captives and prevent further attacks, as communities struggle to cope with the psychological and economic toll of such crimes.