Security Forces Intensify Efforts To Rescue Abducted Passengers In Kogi.
Security agencies in Kogi State have launched a large-scale search operation to rescue passengers kidnapped along the Obajana-Kabba highway. The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) for Zone 8, Abubakar Zubairu, and the Kogi State Commissioner of Police (CP), Miller Dantawaye, confirmed that law enforcement is fully mobilised to track down the perpetrators and ensure the safe return of the victims.
CP Dantawaye emphasised that the police are working tirelessly to locate the 18-seater bus taken along with its passengers. Leading armed officers to the attack sites on Friday, both senior police officials vowed to make Kogi an inhospitable environment for criminal activities.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Ovye, in Lokoja, Dantawaye explained that the visit to the crime scenes aimed to assess the situation and reinforce security measures. Additional operational units have been deployed to comb the surrounding forests and eliminate any safe havens for criminals.
“The AIG also held discussions with Divisional Police Officers and key security stakeholders to strengthen crime prevention strategies. He urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that the Command is working closely with essential security partners to resolve the situation,” the statement read.
CP Dantawaye reaffirmed the police’s commitment to collaborating with other security agencies to sustain their offensive against criminal activities. He disclosed that all Divisional Police Officers have been instructed to conduct extensive patrols and intelligence-driven operations to protect travellers and residents.
To bolster security efforts, the police have intensified engagement with local security groups, including the Hunters Association, Vigilante Groups, Oduduwa People’s Congress (OPC), Agbekoya Group, National Hunters, Special Hunters, and Fulani Hunters. This collaboration aims to enhance community participation in crime prevention and response efforts.
Dantawaye commended the contributions of these community-led security organisations, noting that intelligence-sharing is crucial in tackling crime effectively. While acknowledging manpower challenges, he assured that training and cooperation among security personnel would be strengthened to improve operational efficiency.
He further stressed the importance of public support, urging residents to report suspicious activities and avoid direct confrontations with heavily armed criminals. Community leaders pledged their continued cooperation with law enforcement, reinforcing the need for intelligence-driven security strategies to dismantle criminal networks.
As security agencies intensify their search efforts, authorities remain determined to rescue the kidnapped passengers and restore confidence among commuters along the highway.
