Lokoja – Kogi State government says it is working with security agencies to rescue unhurt and alive three children kidnapped in Ajaokuta Local government areas of the state on Wednesday, August 3.
The state Commissioner for information, Kingsley Fanwo stated this in a statement in Lokoja on Saturday.
He said Governor Yahaya Bello is personally coordinating the rescuing operation, saying that government will ensure that the perpetrators are apprehended and brought to book.
It will be recalled that the kidnappers of the children aged between 5years and 8 years have called to demand N10 million ransom for their release.
The children were kidnapped from their parents’ apartment at Steel Estate in Ajaokuta Local Government.
“In as much as we would not want to divulge everything about the current operations to rescue the children unhurt which we know will be achieved very soon, we wish to assure Kogi State residents that government will remain vigilant in protecting the people.
” We will continue to work with security agencies to retain our enviable position as the safest state in the country today.
“We urge the people of Ajaokuta and indeed, Kogi State in general to go about their normal businesses as we have put in place, stringent security measures to ensure the safety of all.
“Government will spare no resource to ensure our cherished children are rescued alive and unhurt.
“The Governor is personally coordinating the rescue efforts in collaboration with the security chiefs in the state as well as local vigilante groups.
“There is already a massive deployment to the area to achieve results,” Fanwo said.
The Commissioner reminded residents that the earlier ban on wearing of nose mask and demolition of brothels and shanties still subsists.
“The measure is to give criminals no hiding place in our dear state.
“Hotels have also been directed to properly profile their guests as failure to do that will attract severe penalties.
Our Taskforce and Operation Total Freedom will intensify surveillance to keep our dear state safe.
” We also urge the Federal Government to resuscitate the Ajaokuta Steel Project as some of the abandoned facilities and structures in the town harbor criminal elements,” the statement added. (vitalnewsngr.com)
