The Kogi State Police Command has announced a significant operational successes when a key suspect in the bandits attack on Ayegunle Community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area and along the Kabba–Obajana Road last Saturday.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Command’s spokesperson, ASP Oyiza Afusat, the arrest was made in the early hours of 1st June, 2026.
“Following a distress call received at about 2:49 a.m. reporting sporadic gunfire in Ayegunle Community, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Kankarofi, immediately deployed tactical and operational assets to the area.
“Joint security operatives comprising personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Kogi State Vigilante Service, Forest Guards, Civilian Joint Task Force, and other critical security stakeholders were promptly mobilised to the affected locations,” Afusat stated.
She said that preliminary investigations revealed that the attack was masterminded by a notorious bandit kingpin known as Batijo, who 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.
She said that the traditional ruler of Ayegunle Community, Oba Sunday Omodamori, was the principal target of the attack, as the hoodlums had planned to abduct him.
However, the criminals failed in their objective as he was not in his residence at the time of the invasion.
She stated, “The hoodlums subsequently ransacked parts of the community and abducted three residents, namely 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 criminals thereafter proceeded 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, they forcefully stopped a container truck and shot the driver in both legs. The hoodlums also intercepted two commercial 18-seater buses with registration numbers ENU 444 ZJ and MKD 698 XH, abducting several passengers from both vehicles.
“The attackers 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, lost his life instantly after sustaining gunshot wounds, while four others sustained varying degrees of injuries and were immediately evacuated to medical facilities in Kabba for treatment.
“In all, about thirty persons were abducted during the attack, comprising residents of Ayegunle Community and passengers travelling on the affected commercial buses. Security operatives responding to the distress call secured the scene, assisted stranded passengers, and immediately commenced coordinated search-and-rescue operations.”
“As operatives intensified efforts to track the fleeing criminals, their trails were followed deep into the forest and led to a Fulani settlement, where it was discovered that the hoodlums had rustled approximately two hundred cattle while retreating from the community.
“The operatives subsequently extended operations deeper into the forest and mounted sustained pressure on the criminals through coordinated bush-combing exercises, intelligence-led operations, and aggressive pursuit.
“The operation led to the arrest of one Ibrahim, a core member of the criminal network of Batijo.
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“The hoodlums were also forced to abandon about one hundred rustled cattle while fleeing from advancing security operatives.
“The suspect is currently assisting investigators and has provided useful information regarding the activities and whereabouts 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 added.
As part of efforts to assess the security situation and reassure affected residents, the Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, paid an on-the-spot assessment visit to Ayegunle Community alongside the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Kogi State Command, and other senior security officers.
During the visit, the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, met with the traditional ruler of Ayegunle Community, Oba Sunday Omodamori, community leaders, and other stakeholders.
He expressed sympathy over the unfortunate incident and assured residents that security agencies are working tirelessly to secure the rescue of all abducted persons, apprehend the perpetrators, and prevent a recurrence of such attacks.
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.
Kankarofi noterd reiterates his commitment to strengthening security across the State through intelligence-led policing, inter-agency collaboration, and proactive crime-fighting strategies.
He calls on all residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information.