Lokoja – A notorious kidnapper, Kabiru Bala alias Okwo was shot dead in the early hours of Thursday at Ejule Kogi State, during a special operation conducted by a joint security team, comprising army, police, navy and civil defence personel.
Bala was killed in Ejule, Ofu Local Government at about 4:30am during a crossfire between his gang members and securitymen.
Briefing journalists in Lokoja on the special operation, the state Commissioner of Police, Akeem Yusuf said the decision to go after Bala and his boys was reached at the joint security council meeting.
He described Bala as an ex-convict granted state pardon by the state government in October, 2018.
He, however, said Bala became unrepentant after his pardon, a development he said forced the government to revoke the pardon.
Yusuf said a lot of attrocoties, including, kidnapping, dealing in illegal arms and many killings in the state were traced to Bala.
Among the killings traced to Bala , according the Commissioner of police are; the killing of Mrs Salome Abu, a PDP women Leader in her residence at Ochadamu, Ofu Local Government on November 18, 2019.
“Killing of two Igala boys, Umoru Areh and Unekwu Sule on April 20, 2022 at Ejule.
“Killing of five fulani herdsmen , namely Ibrahim, Haruna, Shuaibu along Alloma Road, Ofu LG in April, 2022 and Muhammed and Dauda at Imoko in Ofu LG on 3rd March, 2022,” he said.
According to Yusuf, other crimes allegedly committed by Bala are attack on troops of Nigerian Navy and disposessed them of four rifles at Alloma village on 4th March, 2022 .
“Though, the firearms were later returned to the Navy following high-powered intervention,” he said.
He said the late Bala also attacked Elisha Aya, Pastor and Founder of Kingdom Faith Assembly , Ejule on 18th March, 2022 who later paid N1million to Bala as levy for establishing a church.
Yusuf also said Bala behind the invasion of a Fulani settlement at Egane , burning of 213 huts and rustled 122 cows on 25th December, 2022.
Bala, he said was also behind attack on the Lords Chosen Church, during which a worshipper , Joy Abuh sustained gunshot injury on her left arm.
“He was also responsible for seven kidnappings along Itobe – Anyigba highway from 5th to 28th May, 2023,” he alleged.
The police Commissioner listed items recovered from Bala and his men to include one Ak-47 rifle with three fully loaded magazines, six locally fabricated pistols, two phones and charms.
Yusuf said the operation will be sustained until all known agents of Bala in criminal activities are apprehended .
He also vowed to recover all illegal arms in circulation in Ejule and its environs.
Yusuf said the onslaught will be extended to other parts of the state to ensure security of lives and property.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
