By Idris Ahmed, Lokoja
Four gunmen, members of a notorious highway robbery and kidnap gang that have been terrorising Lokoja – Abuja road, were on Tuesday gunned down, while four others were arrested and handed over to the Police.
According to the Police, four AK 47 rifles and several rounds of ammunition were recovered from the bandits in a gun duel with a team of local vigilante (Civilian JTF) in Kogi local government area of Kogi state.
Reacting to the successful operation by the Vigilante team , Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello commended the effort of Security Operatives in the state in combating crimes on the highways.
The Governor eulogized the security personnel for their gallantry in foiling the daring antics of undesirable elements on the Lokoja-Gegu-Abaji road who took to the highway to attack travellers. He described the dexterity of the combined security architecture as brave and sacrificial.
The Governor who made this known to newsmen said he was aware of positive impact of community policing, and that was the reason his administration embarked on the recruitment and training of 6,000 vigilantes in 2017 for community policing, noting that such initiative has yielded tremendous result.
“Our investments in community policing by involving the people to police their community is now yielding very positive outcome, and to sustain this gain, more of this initiative will be our lot as we strive to rid our state of crimes’.
The Governor, said he will not surrender in the war his administration has wagged against insecurity until all criminal elements in the state and those who come into the state to foment crimes are flushed out.
He reiterated his administration commitment to continue to support all security agencies in the state to enhance their operations.
Leader of the Vigilante explained that they accosted the bandits at their regular spot for operations between Manyere and Achabo villages on the busy Lokoja __ Abuja highway.
He said the suspects have been terrorising travellers, and locals in the area for a long time now. “They have kidnapped dozens of the people between Nasarawa and Kogi states as well as the Federal Capital Territory FCT Abuja”.
“Many innocent people have been killed, millions of naira have been collected as ransoms from victims in these areas of their operations”, the Civilian JTF Commander said.
He called on the Governors of Kogi and other neighbouring states to assist the group financially and vehicles and other necessary working tools to boost their morale.
