Operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) comprising different security agencies have apprehended 26 suspected kidnappers in a clean-up operations in Kogi West Senatorial District.
The State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd), disclosed this while parading the suspects to newsmen on Tuesday in Odo-Ape, Kabba-Bunu local government area of the state.
Omodara said the operation, which was carried out in the last two weeks, was part of the government’s efforts to tackle insecurity in the state.
According to security adviser, the arrested suspects include natives accused of aiding activities of bandits by supplying them with logistics such as food, drinks, water, and others.
“It is not only the kidnappers group in the forest that have been arrested, but also the natives that are collaborating with them.
“They serve as the logistics suppliers to the bandits and kidnappers in the bush,” he said.
He added that “deep investigation after the death of the kidnapped retired Major Joe Ajayi, we discovered that some natives were involved.
“The arrested suspects are helping the security agencies to get to the root causes of the rising kidnapping in the area.”
Omodara vowed that the state will not allow kidnapping, warning that security agents will go after perpetrators, adding, “Kogi is not any other state that criminals, bandits and kidnappers will want to ride on and occupy.”
He charged communities to imbibe first line of defense, “as vigilantes are allowed to carry certain levels of arms.
“We urge communities to develop some level of intelligence. Our women are currently being used to buy food and drinks and others, and sending it through some of the youths in the communities who are bandits collaborators.”
Omodara assured that Governor Ahmed Ododo is committed to ensuring that peace returns to every community, not only in Bunu land, but to all communities across Kogi State.
The Security Adviser assured that the government will not take the issue of security lightly but will continue to work with security agencies to bring perpetrators to book.
He stressed that the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) and other security agencies have been deployed to combat the activities of kidnappers and bandits in the state.
He stressed that efforts by Governor Ododo to tackle insecurity in the state have started yielding positive results with the arrest of the suspected criminal elements.
He added, “The Kogi government has vowed to continue working with security agencies to clear out bandits and kidnappers from the state’s forests and bring perpetrators to book”.
He warned politicians, traditional rulers, and youth collaborating with kidnappers to desist from such activities, warning that the government would take action against anyone found to be involved.
Omodara noted that the government had also formed a defense system to prevent the influx of criminals from neighbouring states.
Also speaking, Deputy Commandant of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) in Kogi West, Mr. Jeremiah Danjuma, said one of the dreaded arrested kidnappers were immediately handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) for further investigation.”
