By Kogi State Government has confirmed the abduction of 13 persons in an attack by suspected bandits on Ayetoro Kiri community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of the state.
The state government also disclosed that four of the assailants were neutralised by local hunters during a fierce gun battle.
Speaking on News Central Television on Monday evening, the Commissioner for Information and Communications in the state, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, stated that the attack took place in Ayetoro Kiri, a rural farming community.
Fanwo explained that the sustained onslaught by bandits in neighbouring Niger and Kwara States has pushed criminal elements towards Kogi State.
He noted that the state government had already marshalled a coordinated security architecture to counter such threats, even as the affected area still requires security reinforcement.
According to Fanwo, local hunters in the community courageously resisted the attack, engaging the bandits in a fierce exchange of gunfire that led to the neutralisation of four bandits, while several others escaped with gunshot injuries.
“Thirteen (13) persons were kidnapped during the incident but the hunters and other security operatives are currently on the trail of the fleeing bandits within the forest, the ongoing efforts is aimed at rescuing the abducted victims.
“We are quite hopeful that the kidnapped persons will be rescued,” Fanwo said.
The Commissioner confirmed that troops of the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army and personnel of the Kogi State Police Command have since been deployed to the community, adding that the state would mount a strong joint security force in the area to safeguard lives and property.
He further revealed that the Department of State Services (DSS) is actively supporting the operation through intelligence gathering and processing.
Fanwo also appealed for air support from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to complement ongoing ground operations and strengthen the security response.
He added that Governor Usman Ododo was engaging with the Service Chiefs to ensure an air raid on the forest to support the Army, Police, and local hunters on the ground.
Commending the bravery and patriotism of the hunters for rising to the occasion, the Commissioner reassured residents that the government remains firmly in control of the situation.
Their movement has been restricted by our security network. What they are doing now is attacking soft targets, such as churches. We have come up with measures to tighten the security around the state. We are grateful for the cooperation of security agencies and our local hunters. We are winning the battle already”, he assured.
