Police nab suspect in Kogi attack, recover stolen cattle

The Kogi State Police Command has reported a major breakthrough. They arrested a key suspect linked to the bandit attack on Ayegunle Community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area. This incident happened last Saturday along the Kabba-Obajana Road.

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

“After a distress call came in at about 2:49 a.m. about gunshots in Ayegunle Community, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Kankarofi, quickly sent 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, and Civilian Joint Task Force were mobilized to the affected places,” Afusat explained.

She noted that initial investigations showed the attack was led by a notorious bandit kingpin named Batijo. He ordered the invasion of Ayegunle Community at around 2:00 a.m.

“Intelligence gathered indicates that the attack was in retaliation for the arrest of some of Batijo’s gang members.

The traditional ruler of Ayegunle Community, Oba Sunday Omodamori, was the main target of the attack since the criminals planned to abduct him. But they failed because he was not at home during the attack.

“The criminals ransacked parts of the community and kidnapped three people: Ojo Abiodun, Bunmi Sunday, and Chief James Obayomi. Sadly, Chief James Obayomi was killed by the criminals while trying to escape. The other two victims are still in captivity.

“After that, the criminals moved to the Kabba-Obajana Road. They blocked the road and shot at moving vehicles to force them to stop. During this, 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, abducting several passengers.

“The attackers continued shooting at another commercial bus with registration number MKA 837 ZA when the driver refused to stop. One passenger, Abdullahi Hashimu, was killed on the spot from gunshot wounds, while four others were injured and taken to hospitals in Kabba for treatment.

“Overall, around thirty people were kidnapped during the attack, including residents of Ayegunle Community and passengers from the buses. Security operatives who responded to the distress call secured the area, helped stranded passengers, and started search-and-rescue operations.”

As the operatives worked to track down the fleeing criminals, they followed their trail deep into the forest. They discovered that the hoodlums had stolen about two hundred cattle while escaping from the community. The operatives continued their search in the forest, using coordinated efforts and intelligence to pursue the criminals.

This operation led to the arrest of one Ibrahim, a key member of Batijo’s criminal gang. The criminals left behind about one hundred stolen cattle as they fled from the advancing security forces.

The suspect is currently helping investigators and has given useful information about the gang’s activities and locations. His information has helped identify other members of the criminal group involved in the attack, including Aliyu, Lamido, Muhadahire, and Kache. Efforts are ongoing to arrest these suspects and dismantle the gang,” she added.

To check on the security situation and reassure the affected residents, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi visited Ayegunle Community. He went with the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) and other senior security officers.

During this visit, Kankarofi met with Oba Sunday Omodamori, community leaders, and other stakeholders. He expressed sympathy over the attack and assured residents that security agencies are working hard to rescue all those abducted, catch the attackers, and prevent future incidents.

Kankarofi praised the teamwork among security agencies and local stakeholders. He said the quick response and coordinated efforts disrupted the criminals' activities, led to the recovery of the stolen cattle, and provided useful intelligence for security operations.

He promised to strengthen security across the state with intelligence-led policing, inter-agency collaboration, and proactive crime-fighting strategies. He urged all residents to stay alert and continue providing security agencies with timely and reliable information.