Kidnapped Kogi Health Worker and Wife Beg for Help in Viral Video as Bandit Attacks Leave Communities Living in Fear

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A heartbreaking video showing a kidnapped community health worker, Mr. Ab Kemuna, popularly known as Dr. Ebi Omo Kemuna, and his wife pleading for their lives has triggered widespread concern across Nigeria, drawing fresh attention to the worsening security crisis in parts of Kogi State.

The emotional footage, which has resurfaced online and gained significant traction on social media, shows the abducted couple appealing for help following their abduction by armed gunmen in Iluke community, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area.

According to local residents, the couple was kidnapped from their home on May 21, 2026, when suspected bandits reportedly stormed the community and forcefully whisked them away to an unknown destination.

The incident has deepened fears among residents of Bunuland, where a series of violent attacks, kidnappings and killings have left communities in a state of anxiety and uncertainty.

Residents say the abduction of the respected health worker is only one of several recent attacks that have shaken the area.

On June 1, armed attackers reportedly killed one person and abducted more than 25 others during a large-scale raid in the region. Barely days later, another attack allegedly targeted a school on June 10, resulting in the deaths of three persons and further heightening tensions among residents.

The recurring attacks have sparked growing concerns about the safety of lives and property, with many community members lamenting that no part of Bunuland appears safe from criminal elements.

“People are living in fear every day. Nobody knows who will be the next victim,” a resident told local observers, describing the atmosphere in the community as tense and traumatic.

Another resident said the continued attacks have disrupted economic activities, education and healthcare services, particularly in rural communities that already face limited access to essential services.

“Bunuland is bleeding. Families are afraid, businesses are suffering, and people can no longer sleep with both eyes closed,” the resident lamented.

The kidnapping of Dr. Kemuna has generated particular concern because of his role as a community health worker serving vulnerable populations across the area. Many residents fear that attacks on essential workers could further weaken access to healthcare services in already underserved communities.

The viral video has since attracted widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians calling on security agencies and government authorities to intensify efforts to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Several social media users expressed sympathy for the couple while urging authorities to take stronger measures against criminal gangs operating in the region.

As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official update on the whereabouts or condition of Dr. Kemuna and his wife. Security agencies have, however, maintained that efforts are ongoing to tackle criminal activities and secure the release of kidnapped victims across affected communities.

The latest incident underscores the growing security challenges facing parts of Kogi State and highlights renewed calls for improved surveillance, stronger security presence and better protection for rural communities increasingly threatened by banditry and kidnapping.

With families continuing to live under the shadow of fear, residents are urging authorities to act swiftly before more lives are lost and additional communities are plunged into crisis.