Operatives of Kogi State Police Command have identified members of the criminal gang responsible for the attack on Ayegunle Bunu community and the Kabba-Obajana highway, which claimed two lives and abduction of about 30 victims.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Spokesperson for the Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Saliu Afusat.
According to her, upon receiving a distress call about 2:49 a.m. on the matter, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, Naziru Bello Kankarofi, deployed tactical and operational assets to the area.
Afusat said the operation involved personnel of the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Kogi State Vigilante Service, Forest Guards, Civilian Joint Task Force, and other critical security stakeholders.
She said preliminary investigations showed that the attack was masterminded by a notorious bandit kingpin known as Batijo, who invaded the community about 2:00 a.m.in retaliation for the arrest of his associates.
According to the police, the traditional ruler of Ayegunle Community, Oba Sunday Omodamori was their primary target. However, the Monarch was not at home when the assailants invaded the community.
The gunmen subsequently ransacked parts of the community and abducted three residents: Ojo Abiodun, Bunmi Sunday, and Chief James Obayomi, who was later killed by the criminals while attempting to escape.
The spokesperson said the criminals moved to Kabba-Obajana Road, blocked the highway and opened fire on moving vehicles in a bid to stop them.
They attacked a container truck and shot the driver in both legs and intercepted two commercial 18-seater buses with registration numbers ENU 444 ZJ and MKD 698 XH, abducting several passengers from both vehicles.
The attackers also opened fire on another commercial bus with registration number MKA 837 ZA when the driver refused to stop, the police said, adding that as a result, one passenger, Abdullahi Hashimu, lost his life, while four others sustained injuries.
Afusat said about 30 persons were abducted and they comprise residents of Ayegunle Community and passengers.
The spokesperson said they were intensifying efforts to track the fleeing criminals, whose trails were followed deep into the forest, leading to a settlement, where it was discovered that the hoodlums had rustled 200 cattle.
She revealed that 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 100 rustled cattle while fleeing from advancing security operatives, she said.
Afusat said the suspect is assisting investigators and has provided useful information on the activities and whereabouts of the gang.
According to her, Information obtained from him has led to the identification of other members of the criminal syndicate involved in the attack, namely Aliyu, Lamido, Muhadahire, and Kache.
She added that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the identified suspects and dismantle the criminal network.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, during a meeting with Oba Omodamori, community leaders, and other stakeholders expressed sympathy over the incident and assured residents that security agencies are working to secure the rescue of abducted persons.
The Commissioner also commended the synergy among security agencies and local security stakeholders.
