,,,,,,4 bandits neutralized, 13 persons abducted.
By Correspondent in Lokoja.
The Kogi State Government says it has intensified security operations across the state following the recent attack on Ayetoro Kiri community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, assuring residents that the situation is under firm control.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, gave the assurance on Monday in Lokoja while reacting to the incident, which he said was part of a spillover of criminal activities from neighbouring Niger and Kwara states where sustained security pressure has been mounted against bandits.
Fanwo explained that the state had established a coordinated security framework to counter such threats, adding that additional reinforcements are being deployed to vulnerable areas to prevent further breaches.
He disclosed that the heightened security measures yielded results as local hunters in Ayetoro Kiri courageously resisted the attackers, engaging them in a gun battle that led to the neutralisation of four bandits, while several others fled with gunshot wounds.
The Commissioner confirmed that about 13 residents were abducted during the Sunday attack but assured that hunters and security operatives are currently tracking the fleeing suspects within the forest with a clear mandate to rescue the abducted victims.
“We are quite hopeful that the kidnapped persons will be rescued,” Fanwo said.
He added that the Department of State Services (DSS) is providing critical intelligence support to the ongoing operation, while the state government has requested air support from the Nigerian Air Force to further strengthen ground efforts.
According to him, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is already engaging the service chiefs to facilitate aerial surveillance and possible air operations to complement the work of the Army, Police and local hunters.
Commending the bravery and patriotism of the local hunters, Fanwo reassured residents that the government remains firmly in charge of the security situation.
He stressed that Governor Ododo is resolutely committed to the protection of lives and property across Kogi State, noting that security agencies are steadily gaining the upper hand against criminal elements.
“Their movement has been restricted by our security network. We have put measures in place to further tighten security across the state. With the cooperation of security agencies and our local hunters, we are winning the battle,” he said.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
