AbdulAhad Otuoze
Kogi State Government on Monday said it has recorded a major victory in the war against kidnappers in the state, smashing the abductors’camp on Thursday and freeing 28 kidnapped persons, including four minors.
The Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communication Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, in a statement on Monday said that its combined security apparatus, that included local hunters, last week Thursday, sacked kidnappers’ den deep in the Irepeni forest, in the Adavi LG, at the end of which 28 abducted victims, including four children were rescued.
It however added that the kidnappers escaped.
The government spokesman said that following the discovery of the kidnappers’ camp, fierce gun battle ensued between the local hunters and the kidnappers, with the kidnappers being forced to surrender to the superior fire power of the local hunters.
It read: “Last week Thursday would remain a sad day for kidnappers in Kogi State as they tasted the will-power of the Yahaya Bello administration to rid the state of criminals and sustain the reputation of the state as an anti-crime society that is safe and peaceful
“Through the new security architecture in the state which accommodates local hunters with better understanding of their terrains, the Irepeni forest in the central part of the state, notoriously known for harbouring dreaded kidnappers and other criminals was stormed after credible intelligence and reports showed some commuters were kidnapped.
“A camp of the kidnappers was discovered which led to hours of gun battle between the local hunters and the kidnappers. The kidnappers later surrendered to the superior fire power of the hunters.
The kidnappers escaped with various degrees of injuries resulting from the gun battle, which made it possible for the hunters to rescue the victims, unscathed. We urge our people across the state and even outside the state to be on the lookout for people with gun wounds. Security agencies should be alerted immediately such persons are discovered. Healthcare institutions should also seek clearance from security agencies before attending to any patient with gun wounds.”
The government said “it will take full responsibility for transporting those rescued back to their various destinations. Many of them were headed North East, and have been reunited with their families
“We wish to reiterate the determination of Governor Yahaya Bello to always defeat criminality in the state with his water-tight security architecture.
“Despite making Kogi State so safe already, the Police Constabulary he recently commissioned to boost Community Policing will make the state even safer.
“Residents of Kogi State and commuters traversing through the state are urged to nurse no fear as the Kogi State Government sees their security as her number one responsibility and priority,” Fanwo added.
