Police Arrest Suspect in Kogi Community Attack, Recover 100 Cattle

The Kogi State Police have reported a big win by arresting a key suspect connected to the attack on Ayegunle Community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area and along the Kabba, Obajana Road last Saturday.

A statement from the Command’s spokesperson, ASP Oyiza Afusat, revealed that the arrest happened in the early hours of June 1, 2026.

"After receiving a distress call around 2:49 a.m. about gunfire in Ayegunle Community, the Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Kankarofi, quickly sent tactical teams to the area.

"Joint security teams, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Kogi State Vigilante Service, Forest Guards, Civilian Joint Task Force, and other key security partners, were mobilized to the locations affected," Afusat said.

She explained that initial investigations showed that the attack was led by a notorious bandit known as Batijo, who ordered the invasion at about 2:00 a.m.

"Intelligence so far suggests that the attack was in revenge for the arrest of some of the gang leader's associates."

Afusat mentioned that the traditional ruler of Ayegunle Community, Oba Sunday Omodamori, was the main target of the attack. The attackers planned to kidnap him, but they failed because he was not at home during the invasion.

"The attackers ransacked parts of the community and took three people, Ojo Abiodun, Bunmi Sunday, and Chief James Obayomi. Sadly, Chief James Obayomi was later killed by the criminals while trying to escape, while the other two remain in captivity."

The criminals then moved to the Kabba, Obajana Road, where they blocked the highway and shot at moving 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 on another commercial bus with registration number MKA 837 ZA after the driver refused to stop. One passenger, Abdullahi Hashimu, died from gunshot wounds, while four others were hurt and rushed to medical facilities in Kabba for treatment."

In total, about thirty people were kidnapped during the attack. This included residents of Ayegunle Community and passengers from the commercial buses. Security operatives who responded to the distress call secured the area and began search-and-rescue operations.

As security operatives worked to track the fleeing criminals, they followed their trails deep into the forest, which led to a Fulani settlement. There, they found that the criminals had stolen about two hundred cattle while escaping from the community. The operatives continued their operations deeper into the forest, applying pressure on the criminals through search efforts and intelligence-led operations.

This operation resulted in the arrest of one Ibrahim, a core member of Batijo's gang. The criminals were also forced to leave behind about one hundred stolen cattle as they fled from the advancing security teams.

The suspect is currently helping investigators and has shared valuable information about the gang's activities and locations. This information has helped identify other members of the criminal group involved in the attack, including Aliyu, Lamido, Muhadahire, and Kache. Efforts are ongoing to catch these suspects and dismantle the gang, she added.

To assess the security situation and reassure affected residents, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi visited Ayegunle Community. He was accompanied by the Director of DSS, Kogi State Command, and other senior security officers.

During the visit, Commissioner Kankarofi met with Oba Sunday Omodamori, community leaders, and other stakeholders. He expressed sympathy over the incident and assured residents that security agencies are working hard to rescue all those taken and catch the attackers.

Kankarofi praised the teamwork among security agencies and local security groups. He noted that the quick response and coordinated efforts disrupted the criminals, helped recover the stolen cattle, and led to useful intelligence for security operatives.

He promised to strengthen security across the state through intelligence-based policing and collaboration between agencies. He urged residents to stay alert and continue providing security agencies with timely and useful information.