Kogi Police kills notorious criminal gang leader Kabir in a gun duel.
IDRIS AHMED, LOKOJA.
Kogi state Police Command has confirmed the killing of a notorious criminal gang leader, Kabiru Bala, alias Okwo, in a shoot out with security operatives on Thursday at Ejule in Ofu local government area of the state.
Following the recent upsurge of criminal activities in the state, the security committee at its meeting took a decision to deal with the menacing situation, by arresting and disarm all criminals.
Kogi state Commissioner of Police, CP Akeem Yusuf, who brief Journalists on Thursday at the command headquarters in Lokoja, disclosed that the neutralized gang leader, died while exchanging fire with security operatives.
CP Yusuf explained further that Kabir Bala and his gang, on sighting the joint Security team, opened fire on them, and in response the team engaged the hoodlums killing the gang leader, while other members of the gang escaped with varying degree of injuries.
The Police boss described the deceased as an unrepentant criminal that Kogi state government him pardon in prerogative of mercy as part of his rehabilitation in 2018.
He also noted Kabir Bala, however remained unrepentant criminal with lots of atrocities traced him, including burning alive of Mrs Salome Abu, the late PDP woman leader in Ofu local government area, killing of 2 Igala youths, Umoru Are and Unekwu Sule, in addition to the killing of 5 Fulani herders in Ofu LGA in March this year.
The late terrorist was also said to have attacked troops of the Nigeria Navy at Aloma and dispossesed them of 4 riffles that were later returned to the Navy, following high powered intervention.
He was also said to have attacked Churches and Fulani camps, burnt tents and rustled 125 cows December last year.
The Commissioner also alleged that Kabir Bala was into and responsible for 7 kinap activities in the month of March this year.
He explained that it was based on the numerous crimes committed by gang leader, the state security committee resolved to revoke the 2018 pardon granted Kabir Bala and ordered his arrest alongside his agents and collaborators as well as recover all illegal arms in the possession of criminals.
CP Akeem Yusuf reiterated that the ongoing onslaught against criminal activities will be sustained to ensure safety of lives and properties in the state.
