The Kogi State Police Command says preliminary investigations showed that the gruesome attack on Ayegunle Community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area and on the Kabba–Obajana Road was allegedly coordinated by a suspected bandit leader known as Batijo.
In a statement issued in Lokoja on Tuesday evening, the Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, said following a distress report of sporadic gunfire in Ayegunle around 2:49 a.m. on Monday, tactical teams of the Nigeria Police Force, supported by the Nigerian Army, DSS, Kogi State Vigilante Service, Forest Guards, Civilian Joint Task Force, and other security stakeholders, were deployed immediately to the affected areas.
According to him, intelligence suggested the invasion was in retaliation for the arrest of some of Batijo’s associates.
“The hoodlums were reported to have targeted the traditional ruler of Ayegunle, Oba Sunday Omodamori, but he was not at home when they arrived.
“The attackers ransacked parts of the community and abducted three residents: Ojo Abiodun, Bunmi Sunday, and Chief James Obayomi. Chief Obayomi later lost his life while attempting to escape, while the other two remain in captivity.
“The attackers then moved to the Kabba–Obajana Road, where they blocked the highway and opened fire on vehicles. A container truck driver was shot in both legs, while passengers were abducted from two commercial buses. Another bus was also fired upon after the driver refused to stop, resulting in the death of one passenger, Abdullahi Hashimu, and injuries to four others who were taken to hospitals in Kabba for treatment. In total, about 30 people, including residents and travelers, were abducted during the incident,” the statement read.
Kogi State Police Command said security operatives pursued the criminals into the forest, where they discovered that cattle had been rustled during the retreat. Following sustained search and intelligence-led operations, the team arrested one Ibrahim, identified as a key member of Batijo’s gang,
“The pressure forced the attackers to abandon about 100 rustled cattle while fleeing.
“The suspect is assisting investigations and has provided information that led to the identification of other members of the group, namely Aliyu, Lamido, Muhadahire, and Kache. Efforts are ongoing to track and arrest them.”
As part of confidence-building measures, CP Kankarofi visited Ayegunle Community with the DSS Director in Kogi State and other senior officers. He met with Oba Omodamori, community leaders, and stakeholders, expressed sympathy over the incident, and assured residents of continued efforts to secure the release of abducted persons, apprehend the perpetrators, and prevent a repeat.
The Commissioner commended the cooperation among security agencies and local stakeholders, noting that the swift response disrupted the criminals’ operation, led to the recovery of cattle, and generated useful intelligence. He reiterated the Command’s commitment to intelligence-driven policing and inter-agency collaboration, and urged residents to remain vigilant and share credible information with security agencies.
