The Police on January 18, 2024 neutralised one bandit and arrested four in Budon forest in Kogi state.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi in a statement issued Monday said on the same day, Dutsinma Divisional Police Headquarters, Katsina State in collaboration with other security agencies neutralised seven bandits.
He said: “On January 18th 2025, Police operatives attached to the Kogi State Command got information of a group of armed bandits holding a strategic meeting for possible attack at a forest in Budon, Kogi State.
“Gallant operatives of the Command were mobilised and deployed to the scene. Upon sighting the police operatives, the bandits engaged the police operatives in a fierce gun duel.
“Fortunately, the bandits were overpowered, with one bandit neutralised and 4 others arrested. The operatives also recovered 1 AK-47 rifle, 2 magazines, 30 rounds of live ammunition and 2 motorcycles.
“Similarly, on same January 18th 2025, a distress call was received at the Dutsinma Divisional Police Headquarters, Katsina State that some suspected armed bandits, armed with dangerous weapons, were headed to attack Ruwan Doruwa Village, Dutsinma LGA of the State.”
Adejobi noted that upon receipt of this call, Police operatives in collaboration with other security agencies mobilised, intercepted the armed bandits and engaged them in a fierce gun battle ultimately leading to the neutralisation of eveb of the bandits, with the rest of the gang fleeing and abandoning 109 livestock suspected to be rustled animals.
Meanwhile the Police have escalated its initiatives to combat human trafficking and the operation of illegal baby factories, successfully rescuing more than 207 abducted children from suspected traffickers nationwide.
Adejobi noted: “A significant breakthrough was achieved with the arrest of a syndicate involved in child abduction and trafficking by the Ondo State Police Command, following intelligence regarding a missing child at Okuta Elerin-Nla, Akure.
“The operatives apprehended members of the syndicate, identified as Abosede Olanipekun, Lukman Isiaka and Sabira Izuorah and rescued 14 children between the ages of one week – 7 years old.”