Security operatives today in Kogi state had a big break when a large number of suspected boko haram terrorists, kidnappers and armed robbers terrorizing the people were arrested and paraded alongside recovered ammunitions from the central senatorial district of Kogi State.
[dropcap]S[/dropcap]ecurity operatives today in Kogi state had a big break when a large number of suspected boko haram terrorists, kidnappers and armed robbers terrorizing the people were arrested and paraded alongside recovered ammunitions from the central senatorial district of Kogi State.
The central senatorial district of Kogi state lately has been a flashpoint for criminal elements and their notoriety. It would be recalled that some weeks ago, some hours after the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello received the award as the best Nigerian governor on security matters, a brazen and daring attack was made on a police station at Eika in Okehi local government area, resulting to the death of two police officers and the community leader in the process.
While on a condolence visit to the attacked area and police station to access the level of damage and empathize with the community, the governor made a vow, he said “the end has come for criminals in Kogi state”. He then further charged security operatives to step up their games in ensuring the safety of life and properties which are ancillaries to growth and development.
These arrests are coming barely 24 hours after governor Yahaya Bello warned that the insurgents who had found their way to Kogi state due to the onslaught on them in the north east had chosen a wrong place because he was ready to collaborate with the military to rout them out of the state. He made the disclosure in Abuja while speaking at the seventh edition of the National Security Seminar entitled: [perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“Consolidating on the Gains of Counter Terrorism Operations in Nigeria.” [/perfectpullquote]
That Kogi is now a haven for Boko Haram because many of them have relocated to my state. “Just last night, four high profile Boko Haram members were arrested in Kogi by the military. [perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“I want to assure them that they have chosen a wrong place to relocate, because we will never allow them. We will work together with the armed forces to consolidate on the victory and gains recorded in the North-East,’’ [/perfectpullquote]
he said.
The big break came when two members of the bokoharam sect were arrested on a tip off along Itape – Eika road, he led security operatives to their camp where arrests were made. The other suspect, Abdulazizi from Irevuchinumi confessed to the kidnapping of a man from Okengwe with his share of the ransom of fifty thousand naira of the three million paid as ransom from the victims relatives. He also confessed to have participated in robberies along Adogo and Agava roads.
Among the arrested was the group that sacked the Eika police station killing 3 persons. Others are criminals who operate along Obajana-Kabba junction axis, Osara Dam, Irepeni and Abobo axis. Recovered from them are large cache of highly sophisticated weapons, explosives and anti tracking devices that make them untraceable.
The 17 suspects were paraded before the public and Governor Yahaya Bello by the commander Brigadier General Henry Ayamasowei in Lokoja.
The public are enjoined and encouraged to provide security operatives with information and useful leads that will help in exposing and apprehending criminal elements in our midst.
