Kogi APC Chairman Ishaq Yunusa was killed in a highway attack on Thursday evening after gunmen opened fire on his car and abducted another occupant along the Itobe-Ochadamu Expressway in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The killing of the Dekina Local Government Area APC chairman has left party members and residents in shock, while raising fresh concerns about attacks on major roads linking communities in Kogi East.
Kogi APC Chairman Ishaq Yunusa Killed Near Ojuwo Olijo
According to the Kogi State Police Command, the attack happened at about 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 27, 2026, near Ojuwo Olijo in Ofu LGA. Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Afusat Saliu, said armed assailants emerged from the surrounding bush and opened fire on motorists using the highway.
“A blue Toyota Corolla, with registration number GWA 636 CH, was subsequently found abandoned along the highway,” Saliu stated. “The driver, identified as Hon. Ishaq Yunusa, was found dead in the vehicle, while another occupant was taken into the bush by the assailants.” Security operatives later arrived at the scene and recovered the vehicle.
Residents said the area has become a difficult stretch for travelers, with reports of kidnappers targeting motorists along the Itobe-Ochadamu road.
Who Was Ishaq Yunusa?
Hon. Ishaq Yunusa was the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Dekina Local Government Area, one of the largest local government areas in Kogi East. He was a grassroots politician who was actively involved in mobilising party supporters ahead of elections.
APC members described Yunusa as a loyal and committed party leader who played an important role in the party’s activities in Dekina. His death has drawn reactions from party stakeholders, many of whom described it as a major loss to the APC in Kogi East.
His body was evacuated to Grimard Hospital in Anyigba for autopsy, while the police began investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
Police Launch Search For Abducted Passenger
The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, ordered sustained security operations along the affected corridor following the attack. Saliu said the command was working with other security agencies to intensify operations in the area. Security personnel were also combing the surrounding forest in an effort to locate and rescue the abducted passenger and arrest those behind the attack.
“The command was pursuing all available leads in connection with the incident,” the statement added. “Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.”
The police urged motorists and residents along the route to stay alert and report suspicious movements to security agencies.
Kogi Highway Attack Comes Amid Rising Insecurity
The killing came only days after gunmen abducted several NYSC members traveling through Kogi State. Police later announced that 11 of the victims had been rescued.
Residents of Ofu LGA said kidnappings and armed attacks have become increasingly common along the Itobe-Ochadamu Expressway, a major route connecting Kogi East with other parts of the state and neighbouring Benue.
A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “Kidnappings are now common here. We travel with fear every day. Government needs to do more to secure this road.”
The road is regularly used by traders, civil servants and students. The killing of a prominent politician has added to concerns among people who depend on the route for their daily movement.
APC Members Mourn Dekina Chairman
The Kogi APC had not yet issued an official statement on Yunusa’s death as of the time of writing, but party members in Dekina and other parts of the state have expressed grief. Sources within the party described the late chairman as a bridge-builder who worked to bring different groups together in Dekina.
His death is expected to feature prominently in discussions at the next state executive meeting. Political observers say attacks involving political figures could also affect party mobilisation ahead of future elections, particularly in areas where insecurity remains a concern.
Calls Grow For Better Security On Kogi Roads
The attack has renewed demands for stronger security on highways across Kogi State.
Stakeholders are calling for increased patrols, better intelligence gathering and closer cooperation between the state government and federal security agencies in areas considered vulnerable to attacks.
CP Kankarofi also directed security personnel to step up efforts to identify and arrest those responsible for the killing.
The police command again appealed to residents to provide useful information that could help investigators track the attackers and locate the abducted passenger.
What Happens Next After Ishaq Yunusa’s Killing?
As of Friday evening, rescue operations were still ongoing in the forests around Ojuwo Olijo. Security sources said teams were searching suspected hideouts believed to be used by kidnappers operating along the corridor.
The remains of Hon. Ishaq Yunusa remained at Grimard Hospital in Anyigba, pending burial arrangements by his family. For Dekina APC members and residents across Kogi East, Yunusa’s death has left a political and personal loss.
Attention is now focused on the search for the abducted passenger, the arrest of those responsible and efforts to make the Itobe-Ochadamu road safer for travelers.
