Two Arrested in Kogi Over Viral Video of Victims Being Flogged

The Kogi State government has announced the arrest of two individuals in connection with a viral video showing kidnapped victims being flogged. The arrests were made in the Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, following public outrage over the footage.

The disturbing video is believed to feature individuals who were abducted on April 13 from the Odae-Bunu community. The Kabba/Bunu Local Government Authority issued a statement on Wednesday, acknowledging the widespread concern and confirming that measures are in progress to secure the release of the victims.

According to the statement, intelligence gathering and community cooperation were instrumental in apprehending a primary suspect. Further investigation and confession from this suspect led to the capture of another accomplice, who is now also in custody.

Both suspects are reportedly indigenes of Olle-Bunu and have provided valuable information regarding the locations of the kidnappers’ hideouts. A collaborative operation involving the military, police, Joint Task Force, and over 100 local vigilantes is currently underway to locate the perpetrators and rescue those being held.

Reports indicate that the kidnappers killed one of the abducted individuals and sent the video to the victims' families, followed by another clip showing the remaining captives being beaten. The perpetrators are allegedly demanding a ransom of N500 million for the release of the victims.

Among the abducted are four individuals reportedly linked to the community's royal family. Initial reports suggest that the attackers stormed the area, seizing two royal queens and their children before moving them to a forest encampment.

The viral footage captured the victims crying out in the Owe and Bùnú dialects as they were physically assaulted by their captors.

A community leader, speaking anonymously, has appealed to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and security agencies for urgent intervention, describing the situation as heartbreaking and pleading for swift action to secure the release of the hostages.

Efforts to obtain a comment from the Kogi State Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, were unsuccessful at the time of this report, as she did not respond to calls and messages.