From Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja
Mother luck smiled on passengers plying Obajana-Kabba road yesterday as police foiled their abductions from the hand of kidnappers who had ambushed their vehicles and were about to take them to the bush when the police swiftly intervened.
One of the passengers whose identity was not disclosed was however not lucky as he died as result of exchange of gun fire with the hoodlums while six sustained various degrees of injuries.
In a press statement made available to newsmen in lokoja,the Police public relations officer, Willy Aya said the police patrol on hearing some gunshots raced to scene and engaged the hoodlums who all fled to the bush
The statement reads:
“As part of sustained efforts to rid Kogi State of all forms of crime and criminality, on 23rd June 2025 the Operatives attached to Obajana Division, while on a confidence building patrol along Obajana–Oshokoshoko road, foiled an attempted abduction of passengers who were attacked by armed hoodlums.
” The hoodlums had ambushed: One J5 vehicle with registration number LSD 572 XJ driven by Suleiman Sani with his motor boy, en route from Zaria to Ekiti, one Toyota Hiace bus with registration number KPA 93 LG, driven by Adeleke Ifelaja, traveling from Abuja to Lagos with ten (10) passengers, one Toyota Hiace bus with registration number GWA 663 XD, driven by Dare Oloyede, also traveling from Abuja to Lagos with thirteen (13) passengers
“The patrol team responded promptly to the sporadic gunfire heard in the area and engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel. Upon sighting the police, the hoodlums opened fire but were repelled, which forced them to abandon their victims and fled.
“All the passengers were successfully rescued. Unfortunately, six (6) victims sustained injuries, and one (1) died while receiving treatment.
” Also on 22nd June, 2025 operatives of the Kogi State Police Command attached to Okene Division, while on routine stop-and-search duty, intercepted a Nissan vehicle (Ash colour) with registration number LGT 893 AA, Plateau, heading towards the Auchi axis with five passengers.
” During the search, all passengers were asked to alight from the vehicle. However, one of the passengers took to his heels and was given a hot chase but unfortunately escaped through a nearby thick forest. A search of the fleeing suspect’s bag led to the recovery of the following items:
“One (1) SMG Rifle with breach number 5197, One (1) magazine, Twenty-eight (28) live ammunition of 5.6mm, One (1) live G3 ammunition, One (1) black T-shirt, Three (3) phone chargers, One (1) Oraimo power bank, Charms, and One (1) pair of sandals.
Efforts are being intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspect.
“In another development, on 21st June, 2025 operatives attached to Ayingba Division arrested two suspects, Umaru Jibril and Lukman Umaru for being in possession of a locally made pistol, two (2) live cartridges, and weeds suspected to be Indian hemp. The suspects will be arraigned in court upon completion of the investigation”
The statement added that the state police commissioner, Miller Dantawaye reassured Kogites of the Command’s unwavering commitment in synergy with other Security Agencies in ensuring the safety of lives and property in the State