The Kogi State Government has firmly debunked claims that officials negotiated with kidnappers in the recent abduction incident that drew nationwide concern, insisting that the victims were rescued solely through a coordinated security operation.
Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, made the clarification on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, where he stressed that the state maintains a zero-tolerance stance on negotiating with criminal elements.
Fanwo dismissed speculation that ransom was paid or that the abductors voluntarily released their captives, emphasizing instead that security operatives—backed by the state’s security architecture—executed a direct and forceful rescue.
“In Kogi State, we don’t negotiate with kidnappers and criminals,” he said. “The government has made it clear that it will not bow to any criminal. We have the capacity to take them out and deal decisively with the situation.”
He revealed that the rescue was not without loss, confirming that two individuals died during an exchange of gunfire between the kidnappers and security forces. Fanwo described the clash as part of an intense push to dislodge criminal networks attempting to operate within the state.
“We regret the fact that in the fire exchange… we lost two people,” he said. “A lot of them know that Kogi is a no-go area for such activities.”
Reiterating the state government’s unwavering position, Fanwo added, “We didn’t negotiate with any criminal. We are not going to negotiate with any criminal. We will deploy all the powers of our security architecture to always deal with them.”
READ ALSO: Nigerian Army Foils Bandits, Rescues Kidnapped Victim in Kogi
His comments align with an earlier statement from the Nigerian Army, confirming that troops of the 12 Brigade successfully rescued six kidnapped victims during operations in the Ejiba and Saminaka forests in Yagba East Local Government Area.
Brigade spokesperson Lt. Hassan Abdullahi noted that sustained military pressure—supported by coordinated air and ground offensives and assisted by a Nigeria Police helicopter—led to the interception of the victims, who were abandoned by their captors.
The state government maintains that it will continue to strengthen its security response system, ensuring rapid interventions as part of ongoing efforts to keep Kogi hostile to criminal activity.