Police Say Bandits Neutralised in Kogi

The Kogi State Police Command has said that scores of bandits were neutralised and their networks dismantled during a fresh security operation in the state, though the exact location of the exercise was not disclosed.

The command’s spokesperson, William Aya, in a statement on Sunday, said the success was recorded in an ongoing joint operation involving the police and the military, with support from the Nigeria Police Force Air Wing.

“The ongoing onslaught against bandit operations in Kogi State by the joint police and military has yielded fruitful results,” Aya said.

“Bandits were flushed out, their networks dislodged, and scores were neutralised. The operation, which is being carried out with vigour, commitment, and utmost professionalism, and supported by the Nigeria Police Force Air Wing components through precision air strikes, led to these successes.”

Aya urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report individuals with gunshot wounds, injuries, or suspicious behaviour to the nearest police station.

Residents were also encouraged to support the ongoing operations by providing credible information on criminal activities within their communities.

“Security is a shared responsibility. Together, we can make Nigeria better,” Aya said.

He released the command’s control room numbers, 07038329084 and 08152195982, for members of the public to report suspicious movements across the state.

The operation comes following a recent surge in criminal activities by suspected bandits in parts of Kogi State. Between October and December, two churches were attacked in Kabba, prompting the Obaro of Kabba, Solomon Owoniyi, in collaboration with the Christian Association of Nigeria in Kabba, to place a ban on religious activities in the area until further notice.

Residents of the state capital, Lokoja, reported intermittent gunfire in the Zango area on Saturday. An elderly woman and a child were later abandoned by the escaping suspects, while four members of the same family were allegedly abducted during the incident.