By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
NIGERIA Police, Kogi State Command on Tuesday said it foiled the abduction of passengers on Obajana-Oshokoshoko road and arrested two suspects in Anyigba for possession of firearms.
In a statement released to newsmen by SP William Ovye Aya, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), the Command said it recovered SMG Rifle, locally made pistol, 28 live ammunition, and other exhibits along Okene-Auchi road.
Aya said that the fear was part of sustained efforts to rid Kogi State of all forms of crime and criminality, on 22nd June, 2025
He said that the Operatives attached to Obajana Division, while on a confidence building patrol along Obajana–Oshokoshoko road, foiled an attempted abduction of passengers who were attacked by armed hoodlums.
The hoodlums had ambushed One J5 vehicle with registration number LSD 572 XJ driven by Suleiman Sani with his motor boy, on transit from Zaria to Ekiti.
Also, one Toyota Hiace bus with registration number KPA 93 LG, driven by Adeleke Ifelaja, traveling from Abuja to Lagos with ten (10) passengers.
Another Toyota Hiace bus with registration number GWA 663 XD, driven by Dare Oloyede, also traveling from Abuja to Lagos with thirteen (13) passengers
“The patrol team responded promptly to the sporadic gunfire heard in the area and engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel.
“Upon sighting the police, the hoodlums opened fire but were repelled, which forced them to abandon their victims and fled.
All the passengers were successfully rescued. Unfortunately, six (6) victims sustained injuries, and one (1) died while receiving treatment.
As part of sustained efforts to rid Kogi State of all forms of crime and criminality, on 22nd June, 2025
Aya said that operatives of the Command attached to Okene Division, while on routine stop-and-search duty, intercepted an ash-coloured Nissan vehicle with registration number, Plateau: LGT 893 AA heading towards the Auchi axis with five passengers.
“During the search, all passengers were asked to alight from the vehicle. However, one of the passengers took to his heels and was given a hot chase but unfortunately escaped through a nearby thick forest.
“A search of the fleeing suspect’s bag led to the recovery of One (1) SMG Rifle with breach number 5197, One (1) magazine, Twenty-eight (28) live ammunition of 5.6mm and One (1) live G3 ammunition.
“One (1) black T-shirt, Three (3) phone chargers, One (1) Oraimo power bank, Charms, and One (1) pair of sandals.
Efforts are being intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspect”, he said.
In another development, the PPRO said that operatives attached to Anyigba Division, on on 21st June, 2025, arrested two suspects, Umaru Jibril and Lukman Umaru for being in possession of a locally made pistol, two (2) live cartridges, and weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.
According to him, the suspects would be arraigned in court upon completion of the investigation.
CP Miller G. Dantawaye reassured Kogites of the Command’s unwavering commitment in synergy with other Security Agencies in ensuring the safety of lives and property in the State. (Ends)