By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Kogi State Police Command says it has arrested a suspected member of a criminal gang linked to a deadly attack on Ayegunle Community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area and along the Kabba–Obajana Road.In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Oyiza Afusat, said the suspect was arrested during a joint security operation launched after a distress call reporting gunfire in Ayegunle Community in the early hours of June 1. According to the police, preliminary investigations indicate that the attack was allegedly coordinated by a suspected bandit leader identified as Batijo.
Authorities said the operation targeted Ayegunle Community, where three residents were abducted. One of the victims, Chief James Obayomi, was reportedly killed while attempting to escape, while the others remain in captivity .Police said the attackers later moved to the Kabba–Obajana Road, where they allegedly attacked motorists and abducted passengers from commercial vehicles.
One passenger, identified as Abdullahi Hashimu, was killed, while four others sustained injuries and received medical treatment.The command said security operatives tracked the suspects into a forest area, where they discovered that about 200 cattle had been rustled.
Following sustained operations, officers recovered approximately 100 cattle and arrested a suspect identified as Ibrahim.According to the police, information provided by the suspect has led to the identification of other individuals believed to be connected to the attack.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend them and rescue those still in captivity. Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, assured residents that security agencies remain committed to restoring peace and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
