POLICE authorities in Kogi State have narrated how security forces rescued abducted corps members and six other victims and killed some of the kidnappers during a coordinated operation.
News Point Nigeria reports that the Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, Naziru Kankarofi, disclosed this during his appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.
“As soon as we were alerted, we put all necessary measures in place to ensure they were rescued and returned to their families. An emergency meeting was convened by all the service commanders: the Brigade Commander, the Commissioner of Police, and the Director of DSS,” Kankarofi said during Tuesday’s edition of the programme.
He explained that the security agencies immediately fashioned out a search-and-rescue operation, with local vigilantes and hunters brought in because of their familiarity with the terrain.
“We fashioned out a search-and-rescue operation, which commenced immediately. As the situation unfolded, we narrowed down to a particular spot and sought the support of local vigilantes and hunters who know the terrain very well.
“The operation commenced in earnest on Sunday. To God be the glory, around 4:00 p.m. yesterday, we arrived at the camp of the kidnappers. There was a serious gun battle; they were eventually overpowered, and all the corps members were rescued. Unfortunately, two people suffered gunshot injuries to their right legs: one corps member and one civilian who was abducted from the second vehicle.”
According to him, the corps members were travelling from Bayelsa on Wednesday.
However, Kankarofi said, “When they entered Kogi along the Itobe–Ajaokuta Highway around 5:00 p.m., they were attacked and abducted into the bush alongside passengers from another vehicle coming from the opposite direction.”
The commissioner said four of the abductors were killed during the rescue operation, while others escaped with bullet wounds.
“Four of the kidnappers were killed during the exchange of fire, and several escaped with bullet wounds. A search-and-rescue operation has been going on since yesterday to mop up the area and arrest the fleeing suspects,” the Kogi police commissioner said during the programme, which airs from 7:00 am to 9:00 am from Monday to Friday.
“As I am talking to you now, all our officers—military, police, DSS operatives, and hunters—are still at the operational theatre, and we are awaiting outcomes,” he said.
“This morning, I also linked up with the neighbouring command in Enugu State because that area leads into Enugu, and arrangements have been made to ensure their forces block their end of the region.”
On Monday, joint security forces comprising the police, military, Department of State Services (DSS), and other auxiliary forces rescued the 15 corps members and six others who were abducted in Egume Forest in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said they were rescued after a coordinated security operation.
Reacting to the rescue and cases of abduction, the police commissioner called for calm, saying, “These are just isolated cases.”
“Kogi State has been generally peaceful and calm. The security forces here are very effective and respond promptly; that’s why when such situations happen, you get to know about them,” he said.
He also pointed to the level of media access to the command as evidence of its openness and transparency.
“The level of media coverage the command gets is excellent because our doors are open, we have nothing to hide, and we always allow the media to do its job unhindered. But generally, the state is calm. You can feel free to travel through Kogi State with nothing to worry about.”