Police Neutralize Scores of Bandits in Kogi Air Strikes

The Kogi State Police Command has said that scores of bandits were neutralised and their networks dismantled during a fresh security operation, although the exact location of the exercise was not disclosed.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Command’s Spokesperson, William Aya, said the success was recorded in an ongoing joint operation involving the police and the military, with support from the Nigeria Police Force Air Wing.

“The ongoing onslaught against bandit operations in Kogi State by the joint police and military has yielded fruitful results.

“Bandits were flushed out, their networks dislodged, and scores were neutralised.

“The operation, which is being carried out with vigour, commitment, and utmost professionalism, and supported by the Nigeria Police Force Air Wing components through precision air strikes, led to these successes,” Aya stated.

The command urged members of the public to be vigilant and report anyone seen with gunshot wounds, injuries, or suspicious behaviour to the nearest police station.

The statement further appealed to residents to support the ongoing operations by providing credible information about criminal elements within their neighbourhoods.

“Security is a shared responsibility. Together, we can make Nigeria better,” Aya added.

He also released the command’s control room numbers, 07038329084 and 08152195982, through which the public can report suspicious movements in any part of the state.

PUNCH Online reports that suspected bandits have intensified criminal activities in several parts of Kogi State in recent months.

Between October and December, two churches were attacked, prompting the Obaro of Kabba, Oba Solomon Owoniyi, in collaboration with the Christian Association of Nigeria in Kabba, to place a ban on all religious activities until further notice.

Only on Saturday, residents of Zango in Lokoja reported sporadic gunshots, after which four members of the same family were allegedly kidnapped. An elderly woman and a child were later abandoned by the fleeing suspects.