Kogi: Four notorious kidnappers arrested in Dekina

As efforts to root out criminal elements intensify in Kogi State, suspected kidnappers have been arrested in Dekina in the Eastern Senatorial district.

Four kidnapped persons were also rescued from the criminal elements.

In a statement by the spokesperson of the state governor, Onogwu Mohammed, said the operation was part of Governor Yahaya Bello’s strategy to fight criminality in the state.

“The success in the latest strategy in flushing out criminals from their hideouts is attributed to internal security network of the state as well as collaboration and perfect synergy among security agencies.

“The combined efforts of the State’s vigilante, the Neighborhood Watch, hunters and conventional security agencies is yielding result in the fight against insecurity in the state,” the statement explained.

Mr Mohammed said the latest breakthrough was the arrest of a kidnapping kingpin and his gang members who have been terrorising residents of Olowa and its environs in Dekina Local Government Area of the state.

Reacting to the arrest of the kidnappers in Dekina Local Government Area, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on security, Ishaq Okolo, said the Joint Task Force Operation was making the area a hell for kidnappers and other criminal elements.

The kidnapers are currently in police custody, at the Dekina division and they have made confessional statements.

Three vehicles and three motorcycles were recovered during the operations.

The gang leader sustained bullet wounds following exchange of fire with security agents during the operation.

In their separate remarks, the chairman of the vigilante, Jibrin Ogohi, SARS Head of Operation, Felix Pastor, and the head of hunters in Dekina local government area, Lamido Usman vowed to continue to ensure that criminals are rooted out from the area.

The four-man gang which has a female amongst them, is led by one Ajode Agbichi. Others include Noah Simon who is the Chief of Staff to the gang leader; Okpanachi Daniel aka Emperor and a female, Ojochegbe Muhammed.