- Governor Bello reiterates zero tolerance for criminal activities
Twenty four persons kidnapped along the Ajaokuta-Itobe road in Kogi State have been rescued, within 48 hours, by a joint team of security operatives, comprising personnel of the Nigerian Police Force, Civil Defence and local vigilantes.
Consequent upon the upsurge of kidnapping activities along Ajaokuta-Adogo-Okene road, some students and staff of Comprehensive High School Ajaokuta and other travellers were abducted on Thursday.
According to Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Ovye Aya, immediately, the Area Commander in Ajaokuta, ACP Ayodele Ola Arogbo, promptly swung into action led a combined team of police, military and local vigilantes to the scene while combining the bush, as a result three victims were rescued including one of the students.
On Saturday, the Commissioner of Police Kogi State Police Command, CP Bethrand Onuoha, deployed additional tactical squad consisting of the quick response unit to the area to join the team led by SP Sule Musa, Divisional Police Officer, Ajaokuta Division and to continue with the bush combing and ensure the remaining victims are rescued, while hoodlums apprehended and bringing them to deserved justice.
“While the team were combing the bush, the hoodlums sighted from their hideout, opened fire at the team. During a gun duel that ensued, owing to the superior firepower of the team, the hoodlums were forced to flee and abandoned their victims. While 21 victims, including eleven students and three teachers were rescued unhurt. Efforts is ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects,” Aya said.
The CP, while commending the efforts of the team, assured of a continue onslaught against criminal elements in the State and to ensure the safety of lives and property.
He enjoined the law abiding citizens of the State to continue to collaborate with the Police and other security agencies by way of volunteering timely and credible information on the activities of criminal elements in the state.
In his reaction, Governor Yahaya Bello said the perpetrators of this reprehensible act must also be fished out.
His Chief Press Secretary, in a statement on Saturday, said upon receiving report of this distressing incident, the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, promptly issued directives to both security agencies and local vigilantes to embark on immediate actions that will lead to the freedom of the captives.
The determined efforts of the combined security forces yielded results within 48 hours, leading to successful release of the 21 captives.
Expressing his relief and satisfaction at the positive outcome of the operation, Governor Yahaya Bello commended the security operatives for their rapid and effective response.
The governor emphasized the paramount importance of maintaining peace and security within Kogi State, reiterating his administration’s steadfast commitment to leaving no stone unturned in its relentless pursuit of keeping Kogi as one of the safest states in the country.
Governor Bello, while commending the security agencies in the state, reiterated his government’s commitment and collaborative efforts in the ongoing battle against criminal elements.
He seized the opportunity to issue a stern warning to those with nefarious intentions and warned criminals against migrating to Kogi for illicit activities.
The Governor unequivocally declared Kogi as a no-go area for all forms of criminalities, making it clear that his administration would spare no effort in safeguarding the peace and security of the state.
Meanwhile, a group under the auspice of Concerned Youths in Ajaokuta has commended Ajaokuta Area Commander, Nigeria Police Force, ACP Ayodele Ola Arogbo, and other security agencies, for rescuing all the kidnapped victims in the Local Government.
In a statement signed by its spokeperson on Sunday, Eneye Onimisi, he noted that, since ACP Arogbo was deployed to Ajaokuta, the Local Government has not been a safe haven for criminal elements in Kogi State.
While noting that ACP Arogbo efforts in combating crimes and criminalities in Kogi State should be commended, Onimisi said “the rescue of all the kidnapped victim in Ajaokuta Local Government led by ACP Arogbo is highly appreciated and commendable.
“When our gallant officers are doing well, it is important we shower them all the desired encomiums. They keep risking their lives for us to sleep with our two eyes closed. With this remarkable achievement by the Nigeria Police in Kogi State led by ACP Arogbo alongside his officers and other security agencies comprising the military, vigilantes, we are very optimistic that, Ajaokuta will continue to be the safest place in the country”.
