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,,,,,One kidnapped victim dies. By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.
Operatives of the Police Command In Kogi state have foiled a kidnapping attempt, arrested two armed suspects, and recovered firearms, ammunition, and other incriminating items.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer ,PPRO for the Command,SP William Ovie Aya in Lokoja on Tuesday and copied The Reporters.
According to him,on June 22, officers attached to the Okene Division, during a routine stop-and-search along the Okene–Auchi Road, intercepted an ash-coloured Nissan vehicle with registration number LGT 893 AA, Plateau State.
He said the operatives flagged down the vehicle with five passengers,requested for inspection and asked all passengers to disembark for a routine check.
However, one of the passengers bolted into a nearby forest, adding that a search of the suspect’s abandoned bag revealed one submachine gun (SMG) with breach number 5197.
Other dangerous items were, a magazine, 28 rounds of 5.6mm live ammunition, a G3 live round, a black T-shirt, three phone chargers, an Oraimo power bank, charms, and a pair of sandals,he further revealed.
Although the fleeing suspect escaped arrest, SP Aya confirmed that efforts are ongoing to apprehend him.
The police spokesperson said that in another operation on June 21, officers from the Ayingba Division arrested two suspects, identified as Umaru Jibril and Lukman Umaru found in possession of a locally fabricated pistol, two live cartridges, and quantities of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.
He said the suspects are currently in custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Aya also disclosed that on June 23, police operatives attached to the Obajana Division successfully repelled a kidnapping attempt along the Obajana–Oshokoshoko Road.
According to him,armed hoodlums have ambushed three vehicles: a J5 van en route from Zaria to Ekiti, and two Toyota Hiace buses traveling from Abuja to Lagos, carrying a total of 23 passengers. Responding swiftly to gunfire in the area, the patrol team engaged the attackers in a fierce exchange of gunfire.
The hoodlums, overpowered by police response, fled into the bush, abandoning their captives, according to him.
“All passengers were rescued safely Regrettably, six passengers sustained varying degrees of injury and were taken to a nearby medical facility, where one of them later died,”the police spokesperson said.
He quoted the Commissioner of Police in the state,CP. Miller G. Dantawaye, as commending the bravery of the operatives and assured residents of the Command’s continued commitment to the safety of lives and property across the state. CP,Aya said,emphasized the importance of community support and cooperation in the fight against crime.
“These operations are a testament to the Command’s resolve, working in synergy with other security agencies, to rid the state of criminal elements,” the Commissioner stated.
