The Nigerian Police force has arrested one key suspect behind the coordinated attack by suspected Bandits in Aiyegunle Igun Bunu, Kabba Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State that led to the kidnap of 30 persons by armed bandits.
The Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO) ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday said the command in a joint security operation also rescued 100 rustled cattle
ASP Afusat disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that the attack was masterminded by a notorious bandit kingpin known as Batijo, who ordered the invasion of Ayegunle Community at about 2:00 a.m.
According to the statement “Intelligence gathered so far indicates that the attack was carried out in retaliation for the arrest of some associates of the gang leader.
” The traditional ruler of Ayegunle Community, Oba Sunday Omodamori, was the principal target of the attack, as the hoodlums had planned to abduct him. However, the criminals failed in their objective as he was not in his residence at the time of the invasion.
“The hoodlums subsequently ransacked parts of the community and abducted three residents, namely Ojo Abiodun, Bunmi Sunday, and Chief James Obayomi. Sadly, Chief James Obayomi was later killed by the criminals while attempting to escape from captivity, while the other victims remain in captivity.
“The criminals thereafter proceeded to the Kabba–Obajana Road, where they blocked the highway and opened fire on moving vehicles in an attempt to force motorists to stop.
“During the attack, they forcefully stopped a container truck and shot the driver in both legs. The hoodlums also intercepted two commercial 18-seater buses with registration numbers ENU 444 ZJ and MKD 698 XH, abducting several passengers from both vehicles.
“The attackers further opened fire on another commercial bus with registration number MKA 837 ZA after the driver refused to stop. As a result, one passenger, Abdullahi Hashimu, lost his life instantly after sustaining gunshot wounds, while four others sustained varying degrees of injuries and were immediately evacuated to medical facilities in Kabba for treatment.
“In all, about thirty persons were abducted during the attack, comprising residents of Ayegunle Community and passengers travelling on the affected commercial buses.
“Security operatives responding to the distress call secured the scene, assisted stranded passengers, and immediately commenced coordinated search-and-rescue operations.
“As operatives intensified efforts to track the fleeing criminals, their trails were followed deep into the forest and led to a Fulani settlement, where it was discovered that the hoodlums had rustled approximately two hundred cattle while retreating from the community.
“The operatives subsequently extended operations deeper into the forest and mounted sustained pressure on the criminals through coordinated bush-combing exercises, intelligence-led operations, and aggressive pursuit.
” The operation led to the arrest of one Ibrahim, a core member of the criminal network of Batijo. The hoodlums were also forced to abandon about one hundred rustled cattle while fleeing from advancing security operatives”.
The Police Spokesperson added that the apprehended suspect is currently assisting investigators and has provided useful information regarding the activities and whereabouts of the gang.
Continuing, ASP Afusat said
“Information obtained from him has led to the identification of other members of the criminal syndicate involved in the attack, namely Aliyu, Lamido, Muhadahire, and Kache. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the identified suspects and dismantle the criminal network”.
ASP Afusat reiterates that as
part of efforts to assess the security situation and reassure affected residents, the Commissioner of Police Naziru Bello Kankarofi, paid an on-the-spot assessment visit to Ayegunle Community alongside top security officers where he assured the traditional ruler of Ayegunle Community, Oba Sunday Omodamori, including leaders, and other stakeholders that those still held in captivity by the bandits will be rescued from their abductors.
The Commissioner of Police commended the synergy among security agencies and local security stakeholders, noting that the swift response and coordinated operations significantly disrupted the activities of the criminals, led to the recovery of rustled cattle, and generated actionable intelligence currently being exploited by security operatives.
While calling on all residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information CP Kankarofi, reiterates his commitment to strengthening security across the State through intelligence-led policing, inter-agency collaboration, and proactive crime-fighting strategies.
Frederick Odimayo
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