Race against time: Police, Army comb Kogi forests for kidnapped victims

Joint Security Sweep of Forest Corridors

The forests around the Okene-Ajaokuta axis have become the focal point of an intensive search and rescue mission as security operatives comb thick vegetation for victims of a recent kidnapping incident. The operation targets criminal elements believed to be hiding in the forest corridors following an abduction on the Okene-Auchi Road.

Since the incident occurred, the Kogi State Police Command, the Nigerian Army, and the Edo State Police Command have synchronized their efforts to penetrate areas used by kidnappers. Personnel have been deployed to search through identified forest zones, including the Ebiya Forest and surrounding terrains, to bring the victims home safely.

The operation involves personnel from the Area Command, Okene; 77 Police Mobile Force Squadron, Okene; Okene and Adavi Divisions; Anti-Kidnapping Unit; Violent Crime Response Unit and detachments of the Nigerian Army operating from Forward Operating Bases in the area.

— ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, Police Public Relations Officer, Kogi State Police Command

Evidence Recovered from Criminal Hideouts

As the security teams pushed deeper into the suspected hideouts, they uncovered significant evidence of criminal activity. While the victims were not immediately located during the initial phase of the bush-combing exercise, the search teams discovered abandoned materials suggesting the locations had been used as temporary camps.

Items recovered from the sites included foodstuffs, cooking ingredients, an Army-pattern jungle hat, and a National Identity Card. To prevent the kidnappers from returning to these strategic locations, security forces dismantled the camps and set the hideouts ablaze. The operation remains ongoing as forces expand their reach across the Kogi-Edo border.

Strategic Directives and Surveillance Technology

The Commissioner of Police for the Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, has issued strict directives to the operational teams to sustain the momentum. He emphasized that the search and rescue operation will continue until the victims are recovered and the perpetrators are brought to justice.

To enhance the effectiveness of the ground troops, the military and police are employing advanced surveillance tools. The use of drones has allowed for better monitoring of the difficult terrain, providing the intelligence necessary to guide personnel through areas that are otherwise difficult to access.

Technical support, including the deployment of drones by the Nigerian Army and Edo State Police Command, is also being utilised to enhance surveillance and intelligence gathering during the operation.

— ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, Police Public Relations Officer, Kogi State Police Command

Peace Restored in Abugi Communities

While the search for the kidnapped victims remains a priority, the Kogi State Police Command has also taken steps to address fragile peace in Abugi and adjoining communities following recent reprisal killings. Through engagements with traditional rulers, community leaders, and the Area Command in Lokoja, authorities have successfully restored calm to the affected areas.

The State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has officially commenced a full-scale investigation into the violence. Officials have warned that the restoration of peace will not preclude the prosecution of those involved in the killings, as security personnel remain strategically deployed to protect lives and property.

CP Kankarofi has urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely information to security agencies. The command reiterated its commitment to maintaining order and ensuring that criminal elements do not find safe haven within the state.