Mrs Idowu Kemi Titilayo and her four-month-old baby were rescued in the early hours of Thursday following a joint operation by local security operatives and Nigerian Army personnel in Egbe, Kogi State. The rescue came hours after they were abducted during a bandit attack on Ijalu Compound in Yagba Westba West Local Government Area. Armed attackers invaded the area along the Solid Rock School axis on Wednesday night, firing sporadically and causing residents to flee in panic. They took several people, including Mrs Idowu, her two children, and JB, a local shoemaker popular in the community.

Security forces and local vigilantes launched a coordinated search that led to the recovery of Mrs Idowu and her infant. Photographs obtained after the operation confirmed that her two children, a boy and a girl, remain in captivity alongside JB. Sources said efforts are ongoing to secure their release. Residents have been urged to remain vigilant and provide credible information to aid rescue efforts.

The attack unfolded over several minutes, with no resistance from the community due to the assailants' heavy weaponry. A resident said the terrorists struck suddenly, forcing everyone to run for safety before abducting victims and disappearing into the surrounding area. While the rescue of the mother and child has been welcomed, anxiety persists in Egbe as families await news on the two children and the shoemaker still held by kidnappers.

💡 NaijaBuzz Take

The military and local forces rescued a mother and baby but left behind two of her children and a shoemaker, raising questions about the selectivity of the operation. If security operatives knew who was abducted, why were only two of the five victims recovered? The continued captivity of the children and JB suggests either a failed mission or a prioritization that puts certain lives above others. Residents now live in fear, wondering who will be taken next and whether help will come in time.

⚖️ NaijaBuzz Take is AI-assisted editorial opinion. All persons mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Full disclaimer →