By Ahmed Muhammed Danasabe, Lokoja
Lokoja, June 17, 2025 – The Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) in Kogi State has arrested 26 suspected kidnappers in a clean-up operation carried out in collaboration with security agencies in Kogi West. The State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd), disclosed this while parading the suspects to newsmen on Tuesday in Odo-Ape, Kabba-Bunu LGA.
According to Omodara, the operation, which was carried out in the last two weeks, was part of the government's efforts to tackle insecurity in the state. "It is not only the kidnappers group in the forest that have been arrested, but also the natives that are kidnapping with them," he said.
The Security Adviser revealed that the arrested suspects were supplying the bandits and kidnappers with logistics such as food, drinks, water, and others. "Our deep investigation after the death of the kidnapped retired Major Joe Ajayi, we discovered that some natives were involved," Omodara added.
The suspects, according to Omodara, are helping the security agencies to get to the root causes of the rising kidnapping in the area. "You can see the harvest of arrests via what the state Government is doing. These are the people causing havoc in our forests. We are not going to allow it, we will be after them because Kogi is not any other state that criminals, bandits, and kidnappers will want to ride on and occupy," he said.
Omodara assured that the government would not take the issue of security lightly and would continue to work with security agencies to bring perpetrators to book. He stressed that the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) and other security agencies have been deployed to combat the activities of kidnappers and bandits in the state.
The Security Adviser warned politicians, traditional rulers, and youth who are collaborating with kidnappers to desist from such activities, assuring that the government would take action against anyone found to be involved. "We are digging deep into getting some of these criminals, and that was why some disgruntled elements outside the State orchestrated the recent purported protest," he said.
Also speaking, Mr. Jeremiah Danjuma, Deputy Commandant of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) in Kogi West, attributed the success in combating kidnapping and banditry to the collaborative efforts of the state and federal governments. "Through the joint efforts, we formed the Civilian JTF, which has recorded significant achievements," Danjuma said.
Danjuma revealed that the JTF apprehended 16 bandits and kidnappers, including some from Zamfara, during a clean-up operation in the Bunu forests. "Some of the dreaded arrested kidnappers were immediately handed over to the DSS for further investigation," he added.
The traditional ruler of Aiyegunle-Igun Bunu community, Oba Sunday Omodamori, expressed sadness over a recent protest that was reportedly staged by some disgruntled elements. "We got to know that these bandits came from far-way Kebbi, Zamfara through Niger States, and came to our backyard and begin to kidnap people," he said.
Omodamori commended the government and security agencies for their efforts in tackling insecurity in the area. "The community has also expressed appreciation for the government's efforts, and we are calling for more action to be taken to ensure peace and security in the state," he said.
The monarch urged the communities in the area to look inward and address the issue of collaborators among their people. "I don’t think that protest makes sense, but we as a community and people should look inward and address the issue of the comprise and collaborators among our people," Omodamori added.
Ojo Olayinka, the Youth Leader of Aiyegunle-Igun community, clarified that the recent protest wasn’t organized by their community but rather by some groups within Bunu who took advantage of the market day crowd. He acknowledged that while kidnappings were previously rampant, government efforts have led to a significant reduction in such incidents.
Olayinka expressed appreciation for the positive impact of these efforts, noting improvements in both Aiyegunle-Igun community and Bunu land overall.
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Crimes