Rita Odafe
Honorable Kabiru Onyene, who served as an aide to former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, has fallen victim to a kidnapping.
Reports suggest that around 7:05 PM on December 9, armed men invaded his business establishment, causing panic as they fired indiscriminately before seizing him and taking him to an unknown location.
At the time of the incident, Onyene was reportedly enjoying time at his restaurant called “Nahaziyat,” located just a short distance from the late Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, HRM Ado Ibrahim’s palace.
During the attack, a bystander was reportedly shot, with their condition remaining uncertain.
An eyewitness recounted, “Suddenly, around 7:05 PM, we began hearing what we thought were firecrackers celebrating the holiday season, but soon realized it was gunfire as people scattered to escape the danger.”
The witness added, “Minutes later, we learned that the gunmen had stormed Kabiru’s office and left with him. It was shocking since this occurred only about 200 meters from where soldiers had set up a checkpoint near the former governor’s residence.”
“Another individual was reportedly shot during the event, but I cannot confirm their status, be it alive or deceased,” the witness further stated.
One of Onyene’s friends took to social media, writing, “My dear brother, Hon Kabiru Onyene has been kidnapped from his office this evening. We urgently ask for your prayers for his safe return. May Allah SWT safeguard him, guide the authorities to find him swiftly, and reunite him with his loved ones.”
