One person died and six other persons were critically injured on Monday during a gun duel between policemen and a gang of kidnappers on Obajana – Oshokosho road in Kogi State.
The gun duel ensued when police operatives engaged the kidnappers in their attempt to abduct 25 passengers travelling in three vehicles on the road.
The kidnappers had successfully ambushed the vehicles and were about leading their victims into the bush when a police patrol team suddenly arrived the scene.
On sighting, the policemen, the kidnappers immediately opened fire on them while the policemen swiftly responded.
However, the superior fire power of the policemen, forced the kidnappers to abandon their victims and escaped into the thick forest with gunshot wounds.
The kidnap attempt was foiled by operatives attached to Obajana division.
The dead and injured victims were among the 25 passengers in the three vehicles.
The policemen were on a
confidence building patrol along Obajana–Oshokoshoko road, when they sighted the gunmen.
SP Wlliam Aya, Police Public Relations Officer, Kogi State Police Command, confirmed the development in a statement.
He said : “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,” Aya said.
In another development, Kogi State police command said its
operatives attached to Okene Division, intercepted five persons suspected to be armed robbers on Auchi -Okene road on Sunday, June 22, 2025.
Aya said the police operatives were on routine stop-and-search duty, when they 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,” the statement said.
In another development, Aya said 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.
He said the suspects will be arraigned in court upon completion of the investigation.
In the statement, Aya quoted the state Police Commissioner, CP Miller G. Dantawaye as assuring Kogi residents of the command’s unwavering commitment in synergy with other security agencies in ensuring the safety of lives and property in the State
(vitalnewsngr.com)
