From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

In its efforts to flush out criminal elements across the three senatorial district of Kogi, the State Police Command has arrested 239 suspects involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, homicide, cultism, rape, and illegal possession of firearms, among other crimes.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Miller G.

Dantawaye attributed the feat to enhanced intelligence-led policing, rigorous patrols along major highways, raids on criminal hideouts, and the recent graduation of operatives from the command’s Refresher Combat Operation Training Exercise (Course 7), aimed at boosting operational effectiveness.

“In line with our resolve to rid Kogi State of criminal elements, we have adopted comprehensive crime prevention and control strategies that are already yielding commendable results,” the CP said.

He emphasized the importance of public partnership in maintaining security, appealing to traditional rulers, community leaders, transport unions, market associations, youth groups, hunters, and vigilantes to collaborate with the police in sustaining peace and order.

Highlighting a major breakthrough, the CP revealed that on May 11, 2025, operatives stationed near Kogi State University, Kabba, intercepted a green Sharon vehicle with registration number KUJ 265 BL after the driver refused to comply with a stop-and-search directive.

“The fleeing suspect abandoned the vehicle and escaped into the bush. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the recovery of five AK-47 rifles, eight magazines, 283 rounds of 7.62/39mm ammunition, 62 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, and two rounds of 7.62/59mm ammunition,” Dantawaye stated, adding that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the suspect.

The CP also disclosed that the command arrested:75 suspected kidnappers,66 suspected armed robbers,21 for unlawful possession of firearms,18 for homicide,6 for cultism,4 for rape, and49 others for various crimes

He added that the command recovered many exhibits during, operations, including 2 AK-49 rifles,2 pump-action guns,2 locally made pistols,locally made revolver barrel gun,1pump-action magazine,9 expended AK-47 ammunition and 7 expended cartridges.

CP Dantawaye attributed these achievements to the command’s proactive strategies and robust collaboration with community stakeholders.

“Our success is anchored on intelligence-led operations and strong community-police relations. No police force anywhere can function effectively without the support of the people,” he said.

He urged citizens to continue sharing timely and credible information to aid ongoing security operations, reaffirming the police’s commitment to ensuring peace and order in Kogi State through professionalism, strategic engagement, and vigilance.

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

Armed men suspected to be kidnappers, have abducted an officer of the Nigeria Immigration Service(NIS) Benue State Command, identified as Simon Agbo at his residence in Makurdi, the state capital.

A close relation of the  victim  who disclosed this to our correspondent on phone on Monday in Makurdi, said the officer was busy discussing with two of his direct neighbours on Sunday night May 11, 2025 at about 7:15pm before they came to kidnapped him.

He said the incidence happened at opposite  NKST church Kuan, behind modern market in Makurdi, after the kidnappers stormed the compound and took him away at gunpoint to unknown destination.

Our correspondent gathered that the kidnappers who were well armed first fired gunshots sporadically in the air to scare family members and neighbours of the victim before abducting him from his residence.

It was further  gathered that the victim was serving in Kwara State before he was redeployed to Benue State command on February this year.

Upon hearing his abduction, youths in the whole community in collaboration with local vigilantes immediately launched a search throughout the night but the gunmen could not be caught.

Younger brother of the victim, who simply identified himself as Mr. Agbo told our correspondent that one of the victim’s neighbours have been apprehended in connection with kidnapping of the immigration officer, hence his role before the incidence took place.

According to him, the neighbour whom he refused to mentioned his name, was consistently calling on the victim to come home or he should direct him to his location as at that time, that they needed to see that fateful Sunday night by all means.

“After persistent calls, that my brother should  come home or if possible, describe his whereabout, then,  my brother came home and went straight to that his neighbour’s compound.

“While they were at the compound discussing, another of their neighbours came to joined them and all of a sudden, the gunmen arrived the compound and  immediately went straight to the immigration officer, picked  only him at gunpoint, leaving the remaining two people behind.

“The neighbour’s action looks very suspicious and that is why we called for his arrest. He has been arrested and currently in police custody until our brother is released.

“As I speak with you, the kidnappers have opened discussion with the family. They are demanding for N20 million ransom for his release as at today”, he said.

The Public Relations Officer of the  Nigerian Immigration Service NIS could not be reached for comment as at the time of filing this report.

Efforts to get confirmation from police was unsuccessful as the Benue State Command Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Sewuese Anene, is yet to receive calls or respond to text messages sent to her cell phone

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 An Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun, on Monday, remanded a 19-year-old man, Taiwo Lateef,  who allegedly stabbed another man with a broken bottle.

Lateef, whose address was not provided, is facing a count charge of assault.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Insp E.

He alleged that the defendant assaulted the complainant, Mr Akorede Sanni, by stabbing him on the rib; thus, causing him a permanent injury.

Adaraloye said that the complainant was still receiving treatment in a hospital.

He said that the offence contravened Section 355 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun, 2006.

The Magistrate, Mrs O. O. Fadairo, ordered that the defendant should be kept in prison custody pending the time the complainant would recover.

Fadairo adjourned the case until June 2 for trial. (NAN)