Gunmen have killed the All Progressives Congress Chairman in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Ishaq Yunusa, and abducted another occupant of his vehicle.
The incident occurred on Thursday around 5pm along the Itobe-Ochadamu Expressway, near Ojuwo Olijo in Ofu Local Government Area of the state.
The Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Afusat Saliu, confirmed the attack in a statement made available to journalists in Lokoja on Friday.
According to Saliu, the armed assailants emerged from the surrounding bush and opened fire on motorists.
A blue Toyota Corolla with registration number GWA 636 CH was later found abandoned along 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.
Saliu said the police, working with other security agencies, had intensified operations in the area, with security personnel combing the surrounding forest in an effort to rescue the abducted victim and arrest the attackers.
She added that Yunusa’s remains had been evacuated to Grimard Hospital, Anyigba, for autopsy, while investigators were pursuing all available leads.
The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, ordered sustained security operations along the affected corridor and directed the command to ensure that those responsible for the attack were brought to justice.
The police urged motorists and residents along the route to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements promptly to the nearest security agency.
The command said further updates would be released as more information becomes available.