The Kogi State Police Command has reported a big win with the arrest of a suspect in the bandits' attack on Ayegunle Community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area. This attack happened last Saturday along the Kabba, Obajana Road.
A statement from the Command’s spokesperson, ASP Oyiza Afusat, said the arrest took place in the early hours of June 1, 2026.
“After a distress call came in around 2:49 a.m. about gunfire in Ayegunle Community, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Kankarofi, quickly sent out tactical teams to the area.
“Joint security operatives, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Kogi State Vigilante Service, Forest Guards, Civilian Joint Task Force, and other security partners, were mobilized to the affected locations,” Afusat explained.
She added that initial investigations showed that a well-known bandit leader, Batijo, was behind the attack. He ordered the invasion of Ayegunle Community around 2:00 a.m.
“Intelligence reports suggest that the attack was revenge for the arrest of some of the gang leader's associates.
Afusat said the main target was the traditional ruler of Ayegunle Community, Oba Sunday Omodamori. The criminals aimed to abduct him, but they failed since he was not home during the attack.
“The hoodlums went through parts of the community and kidnapped three people: Ojo Abiodun, Bunmi Sunday, and Chief James Obayomi. Sadly, Chief James Obayomi was killed while trying to escape. The other two are still missing.
“After that, the criminals moved to the Kabba, Obajana Road, blocking the highway and shooting at vehicles to force them to stop. They stopped a container truck and shot the driver in both legs. They also intercepted two commercial 18-seater buses with registration numbers ENU 444 ZJ and MKD 698 XH, taking several passengers from both buses.
“The attackers fired at another commercial bus with registration number MKA 837 ZA when the driver refused to stop. One passenger, Abdullahi Hashimu, died instantly from gunshot wounds, and four others were hurt and taken to hospitals in Kabba for treatment.
“In total, about thirty people were kidnapped during the attack. This included residents of Ayegunle Community and passengers on the buses. Security operatives who responded to the distress call secured the area and started search-and-rescue efforts.”
“As the operatives worked to track down the fleeing criminals, they followed their trail deep into the forest. This led them to a Fulani settlement where they found out that the hoodlums had stolen about two hundred cattle while escaping from the community. The operatives continued their search in the forest, applying pressure on the criminals through coordinated operations and aggressive pursuit.
“This effort led to the arrest of one Ibrahim, a key member of Batijo's criminal network. The criminals had to leave behind about one hundred stolen cattle while running from the advancing security operatives.
“The suspect is now helping the police with information about the gang's activities and locations. He has also named other members of the group involved in the attack, including Aliyu, Lamido, Muhadahire, and Kache. Efforts are ongoing to catch these suspects and break up the criminal group,” she added.
To check the security situation and reassure residents, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi visited Ayegunle Community with the Director of the DSS, Kogi State Command, and other senior security officials.
During the visit, Commissioner Kankarofi met with Oba Sunday Omodamori, community leaders, and other stakeholders. He expressed sympathy for the incident and assured residents that security agencies are doing everything possible to rescue all abducted persons, catch the attackers, and prevent future attacks.
Kankarofi praised the teamwork among security agencies and local security groups. He said their quick response and coordinated actions disrupted the criminals' plans, helped recover stolen cattle, and provided useful information for ongoing efforts.
He promised to boost security across the state through intelligence-led policing, cooperation between agencies, and proactive crime-fighting strategies.
He also urged all residents to stay alert and continue to support security agencies by providing timely information.
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