Operatives of the Kogi State Police Command have arrested a key suspect linked to the recent attack on Ayegunle Community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area and recovered about 100 rustled cattle during a sustained security operation.
The command disclosed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, ASP Oyiza Afusat.
According to the statement, security operatives were mobilised after a distress call was received at about 2:49 a.m. on June 1 reporting sporadic gunfire in Ayegunle Community.
Afusat said: “Following a distress call received at about 2:49 a.m. reporting sporadic gunfire in Ayegunle Community, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Kankarofi, immediately deployed tactical and operational assets to the area.”
She added: “Joint security operatives comprising personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Kogi State Vigilante Service, Forest Guards, Civilian Joint Task Force, and other critical security stakeholders were promptly mobilized to the affected locations.”
Preliminary investigations, according to the police, revealed that the attack was allegedly masterminded by a bandit leader identified as Batijo.
Afusat said: “Intelligence gathered so far indicates that the attack was carried out in retaliation for the arrest of some associates of the gang leader.”
The police said the traditional ruler of Ayegunle Community, Oba Sunday Omodamori, was the main target of the attackers, who allegedly planned to abduct him.
However, the monarch was not at home when the gunmen invaded the community.
The attackers reportedly abducted three residents identified as Ojo Abiodun, Bunmi Sunday and Chief James Obayomi.
Afusat stated: “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 gunmen later moved to the Kabba–Obajana Road, where they reportedly blocked the highway and attacked motorists.
According to the police, a truck driver was shot in both legs, while passengers travelling in two commercial buses were abducted.
Afusat added: “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.”
She said about 30 people were abducted during the attacks.
As security operatives tracked the fleeing gunmen into the forest, they reportedly discovered that approximately 200 cattle had been rustled during the operation.
The police said intense pursuit forced the criminals to abandon about 100 of the cattle.
Afusat said: “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.”
She added that the suspect was assisting investigators and had provided information that led to the identification of other suspected members of the gang, including Aliyu, Lamido, Muhadahire and Kache.
According to the command, efforts are ongoing to arrest the identified suspects and dismantle the criminal network.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Kankarofi, later visited Ayegunle Community alongside the Director of the Department of State Services in Kogi State and other senior security officers.
During the visit, he met with the traditional ruler, community leaders and residents, assuring them that security agencies were working to rescue the abducted victims and bring those responsible to justice.
Kankarofi also commended the collaboration among security agencies and local security groups, noting that the coordinated response disrupted the activities of the attackers and generated valuable intelligence for ongoing operations.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing, inter-agency cooperation and proactive security measures across the state while urging residents to continue providing credible information to security agencies.
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