The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the kidnapping of the Chief Imam of Iyara in Ijumu Local Government Area, Sheikh Quasim Musa, by unknown gunmen.
The Islamic cleric was reportedly Kidnapped on Monday night outside his house in Ilukpa, Iyara headquarters of the Ijumu Local Government Area.
According to sources in the community, the gunmen, who came in a commando style, started shooting sporadically before taking their victim to an unknown destination.
A family source who spoke to our correspondent under the condition of anonymity said they are yet to get any information from the kidnappers.
The family source said “Dear compatriot sons and daughters of Iyara land, it is sad to announce to you all that our community had its own share of the current insecurity bedevilling the nation on Monday 25th, March 2024.
“Gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen stormed the House of the Chief Imam of Iyara land, Sheikh Quasim Musa, and kidnapped him after shooting sporadically.
“The religious leader was abducted at about 2200hrs after he came back from mosque and slept outside his house in Ilukpa, Iyara headquarters of Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
“This dastardly act is cowardice and unfortunate, happening to a Religious Leader in this Holy month of Ramadan. We use this medium to call on relevant authorities to ensure that he is released.
“You’re hereby requested to commence fervent prayers as for efforts being made to rescue him from kidnappers’ den to yield positive results in no distant time.Once again, you are all requested to pray for his safe return”.
Confirming the incident on Tuesday, the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Ovye Aya, said, “The Commissioner of Police in Kogi State has deployed tactical team, PMF, quick response unit, Divisional Police, alongside local vigilantes and other security agencies to ensure that the Man is rescued unhurt”.
The recent incident comes weeks after gunmen suspected to be kidnappers reportedly abducted a Chinese engineer and killed a yet-to-be-identified civil defence officer in the process at Obagende in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.
