Twelve suspected kidnappers and an alleged informant have been arrested in a coordinated security operation spanning parts of Kogi and Kwara states.
The Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Lokoja.
According to Fanwo, the operation was carried out by a joint team of operatives from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Egbe.
The raids covered Isanlu-Esa and Okoloke in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi, as well as Patigi, Lafiagi, and Gbugbu in Kwara State.
The suspects, identified as Mainasara Abubakar, Sadik Abubakar, Jude Sani, Sanda Abubakar, Lawali Usman, Tukur Shehu, Hassan Abubakar, Kabiru Surajo, Makiri Dodo, Bala Hassan, Umaru Sanda, and Ruwa Abubakar, were arrested during a series of targeted operations. Also arrested was one Rabiu Makeri, believed to be an informant for the criminal gang.
Fanwo revealed that the security forces engaged the suspects in a fierce gun battle, during which some of the kidnappers fled, abandoning their motorcycles and hostages.
Several kidnapped women were rescued during the operation.
“One of the security personnel sustained gunshot wounds during the confrontation and is currently receiving medical attention at a hospital in Yagba West,” the commissioner said, adding that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has offered to cover all the medical expenses for the injured officer.
Fanwo commended the courage and professionalism of the operatives involved and expressed appreciation to the Kwara State Government for its cooperation, which he said contributed to the success of the mission.
“Peace has returned to Kogi West as the criminal route from Kwara into our communities has now been disrupted.
There will be no hiding place for criminals,” he warned.
The commissioner assured the public that the arrested suspects would be prosecuted after the conclusion of investigations, reiterating the state government’s zero-tolerance policy toward crime and insecurity.
In a related development, the Executive Chairman of Yagba West Local Government and Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Kogi, Hon. Tosin Olokun, lauded the efforts of the security forces.
“Governor Ododo promised to restore peace to Yagba West and Yagba East, and today, he has backed those words with decisive action.
The people of Yagba are grateful for his leadership and the results it is delivering,” Olokun said.