Police Arrest Key Suspect, Recover 100 Rustled Cattle After Deadly Bandit Attack in Kogi

The Kogi State Police Command has arrested a key suspect linked to the coordinated attack by suspected bandits on Ayegunle-Igun Bunu Community in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, which resulted in the abduction of about 30 persons and the death of two victims.

The Command also recovered 100 rustled cattle during a joint security operation launched in the aftermath of the attack.

Our Kogi State Correspondent, reports that the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that the attack was masterminded by a notorious bandit kingpin identified as Batijo, who allegedly ordered the invasion of Ayegunle Community at about 2:00 a.m.

"Intelligence gathered so far indicates that the attack was carried out in retaliation for the arrest of some associates of the gang leader," the statement said.

The police revealed that the traditional ruler of Ayegunle Community, Oba Sunday Omodamori, was the principal target of the attack, as the bandits had planned to abduct him. However, their mission failed because the monarch was not at home when the attackers struck.

The statement explained that the hoodlums subsequently ransacked parts of the community and abducted three residents identified as Ojo Abiodun, Bunmi Sunday, and Chief James Obayomi.

"Sadly, Chief James Obayomi was later killed by the criminals while attempting to escape from captivity, while the other victims remain in captivity," the police stated.

The attackers thereafter moved to the Kabba–Obajana Road, where they blocked the highway and opened fire on moving vehicles in an attempt to force motorists to stop.

During the attack, the bandits reportedly stopped a container truck and shot the driver in both legs. They also intercepted two commercial 18-seater buses with registration numbers ENU 444 ZJ and MKD 698 XH, abducting several passengers.

The criminals further opened fire on another commercial bus with registration number MKA 837 ZA after the driver refused to stop.

"As a result, one passenger, Abdullahi Hashimu, died instantly from gunshot wounds, while four others sustained varying degrees of injuries and were immediately evacuated to medical facilities in Kabba for treatment," the statement added.

According to the police, approximately 30 persons, comprising residents of Ayegunle Community and passengers travelling in the affected vehicles, were abducted during the attack.

Security operatives responding to distress calls secured the area, assisted stranded passengers, and immediately commenced coordinated search-and-rescue operations.

The police disclosed that while tracking the fleeing criminals through the forest, operatives traced them to a Fulani settlement, where it was discovered that the bandits had rustled about 200 cattle during their retreat from the community.

The security team subsequently intensified operations through bush-combing exercises, intelligence-led surveillance, and aggressive pursuit of the suspects.

"The operation led to the arrest of one Ibrahim, a core member of Batijo's criminal network. The hoodlums were also forced to abandon about 100 rustled cattle while fleeing from advancing security operatives," ASP Afusat stated.

She added that the arrested suspect is currently assisting investigators and has provided useful information regarding the activities and hideouts of the gang.

"Information obtained from him has led to the identification of other members of the criminal syndicate involved in the attack, namely Aliyu, Lamido, Muhadahire and Kache. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the identified suspects and dismantle the criminal network," she said.

As part of efforts to assess the security situation and reassure residents, the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Bello Kankarofi, led a team of senior security officers on an on-the-spot assessment visit to Ayegunle Community.

During the visit, the police commissioner assured the traditional ruler, Oba Sunday Omodamori, community leaders, and other stakeholders that security agencies were working tirelessly to rescue all victims still in captivity and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Kankarofi commended the synergy among security agencies and local security stakeholders, noting that the swift response and coordinated operations significantly disrupted the activities of the criminals, led to the recovery of rustled cattle, and generated actionable intelligence currently being exploited by security operatives.

The commissioner also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information.

He reaffirmed the command's commitment to strengthening security across the state through intelligence-led policing, inter-agency collaboration, and proactive crime-fighting strategies aimed at curbing banditry and other violent crimes.

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