The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed that eight suspected terrorists were apprehended during coordinated bush-combing operations across the state.
The command’s spokesperson, ASP Saliu Afusatu, issued a statement in Lokoja early Friday morning.
“In a sustained demonstration of resolve to deny criminal elements any safe haven in Kogi State, operatives of the Kogi State Police Command, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, local hunters, and vigilante groups, carried out coordinated bush-combing operations across various parts of the state,” she wrote.
She stated that the operation was part of ongoing, intelligence-led security operations carried out across many areas in Kogi State to proactively detect, disrupt, and dismantle criminal networks.
“The exercise involved thorough combing of identified forested and remote areas suspected to be vulnerable to criminal exploitation. Ground operations were effectively complemented with aerial surveillance, providing enhanced situational awareness, tracking of suspicious movements, and the identification of concealed criminal hideouts.
“In line with this strategy, discovered bandit camps and hideouts were neutralized to prevent reuse and deny criminal elements any operational comfort,” she said.
She also stated that the criminal elements were overwhelmed by the coordinated presence and superior deployment of security forces, leading to suspected criminals fleeing their enclaves and abandoning several hideout locations.
“In the course of the operation, eight suspects were arrested at different points for questioning in connection with suspected criminal activities.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that some of the suspects are believed to be informants aiding kidnapping syndicates operating within the area.
“The suspects are currently in custody, and thorough investigations are ongoing, after which appropriate legal action will be taken based on the outcome of investigations.
“The areas covered during the operation have since remained calm and stable, with sustained and visible security presence to reassure residents and forestall any breach of peace,” she noted.
The command emphasized that the collaborative security operations are ongoing, planned, and statewide and are part of a comprehensive and proactive security architecture aimed at keeping criminal elements unsettled until they are totally demolished.
“These sustained efforts reflect the superb, strategic, and result-oriented leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, whose commitment to intelligence-driven policing, modern surveillance support, and strong inter-agency collaboration continues to yield tangible security gains across the state,” she said.
