A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Aregbesola Timothy Ibikunle, and several other travelers were killed on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, when heavily armed gunmen, disguised as soldiers, ambushed their vehicles on the Okene–Abuja highway.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants, dressed in military uniforms, opened fire on multiple vehicles on the outskirts of Okene. Ibikunle was shot in the chest and died instantly while other travelers who attempted to flee were also gunned down.
However, Ibikunle’s wife, Mrs. Aregbesola Titilayo Olukemi, his children, and some motorists managed to escape with injuries, several other travelers were abducted and forced into a nearby forest.
Reports indicate that Mrs. Titilayo was later seen in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, but the whereabouts of the politician’s children are currently unknown.
The incident has triggered widespread outrage across Kogi State, with residents condemning the escalating insecurity on the Okene–Abuja road, a route notorious for violent attacks and kidnappings.
As of press time, security agencies have not released an official statement on the attack.
