Security
Late Gana’s boys on rampage in Benue, kill 3, set houses on fire
Dyom village in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State came under attack by suspected loyalists of the late Benue notorious militia, Terwase Agwaza, alias Gana over the weekend leading to the killing of three residents of the community.
The attackers who were dressed in military camouflage invaded the community near Senga community, killing and.setting houses ablaze until the arrival of the joint security operation, codenamed Operation Whirl Stroke and while the miscreants were engaged in a counter operation, two of them were killed on the spot, two arrested and weapons recovered.
Confirming the incident, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Col. Paul Hembe (retd.), while briefing newsmen on Sunday said, major catastrophy was averted in the community, if not for the intervention of the security forces.
He said the attackers were identified as late Gana’s loyalists, stormed the community in military camouflage fully armed and killed three persons immediately, while burning houses before security forces arrived after a distress call.
“Luckily while this was going on, information reached personnel of Operation Whirl Stroke who stormed the area, apprehended two of the armed men and also recovered their weapons which included live ammunition and an AK-47 rifle including a locally-made gun,” he said.
CAPITAL POST earlier reports that the State Security Council had, last week, imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Katsina-Ala and Ukum councils to check the increasing cases of banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery, as well as general insecurity in the two councils.
In September last year, Gana (Terwase Agwaza) surrendered and was seized by the military. This was after Benue State and the Federal Government had placed a N50 million bounty on his head.
However, after his controversial death, reports emerged that Gana told his followers to avenge his death if anything happened to him.
Lt. Cynthia Akor, a Navy officer attached to Defence Headquarters in Abuja and two others have been abducted with their abductors demanding for N100 million ransome for their release.
The officer and others were reportedly kidnapped from their residences in the Mpape area of the Federal Capital Territory on Friday night and by Saturday their abductors called their families and demanded for N100 million ransom for the victims to be freed.
Our correspondent learnt on Saturday that their abductors have gotten in touch over ransom.
A source said: “Anong the three people that were kidnapped on Friday night in the Mpape area is a DHQ official, Akor.
“The kidnappers have already reached out to their families and are demanding N100m ransom,” the source said.
Efforts to reach the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, and the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, were unsuccessful, as they had yet to respond to messages as of the time of filing this report.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Josephine Adeh, said she would confirm the incident and provide further details.
“I will confirm and get back to you shortly,” she simply stated.
She has not reverted as of the time of filing this report.
The Security Adviser to Kogi State governor, Commodore Jerry Omodara (retd) has said security operatives are on the trail of abductors of 18 passengers on a bus belonging to the ABC Transport.
The passengers were kidnapped on Sunday.
Mr Omodara disclosed this on Thursday in Lokoja.
The bus, reportedly heading to Abuja on Sunday, March 16, from the South-East was reportedly hijacked by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers at Oloma in the Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi, a border town between the state and Enugu State.
Reliable sources said that all the bus passengers including the driver were abducted by the gunmen.
However, Mr Omodara, who confirmed the incident, said that a combined team of security operatives had launched a manhunt for the abductors.
He said the operatives in Kogi State, including the military, police, SSS, NSCDC and vigilante groups were in synergy to rescue the victims.
He stated, “Just on Wednesday, all the security heads met twice to see that we get the kidnappers and rescue the victims.’’
According to him, this kind of synergy and cooperation from residents provide security agents useful information that helps them to succeed.
He said that Kogi State had recorded a drastic drop in kidnapping incidents and crimes due to synergy and cooperation from residents.
The state security adviser said though they might not be able to completely eradicate crime in the state, they were making efforts to tackle any that reared its ugly head.
He assured families of the abducted passengers that they would be released unhurt.
He added, “We want Kogi to be a haven for all residents and passers-by alike.”
(NAN)
Security
AIG Zubairu, CP Dantawaye visit kidnapped scene, deploys tactical team to restore law and order
In a bid to ensure confidence building and to reassure the people of kogi State of their safety, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 8 Lokoja, AIG Abubakar Zubairu, and the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command CP Miller G. Dantawaye, psc visited the scene of attack on passengers who were traveling in an 18-Seater Bus along Obajana-Kabba road to assess the situation and ordered for deployment of additional operational assets to carry out bush combing operation to deny criminal elements safe haven.
The AIG further engaged with the Divisional Police Officers and other key stakeholders to adopt strategies for proactive crime prevention and control management. He urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that the Command is working with critical stakeholders in security management.
CP Dantawaye reiterated the Command unwavering commitment in working synergy with other security agencies to sustain the ongoing onslaught against criminality in the state. He further stated that, the Divisional Police Officers have been directed to carry out a comprehensive crime prevention patrol as well as intelligence-driven operations, to safeguard travelers and residents.
The engagement with local security groups aimed to further strengthen community collaboration in combating crime. The meeting brought together representatives from Hunters Association, Vigilante Groups, Oduduwa People’s Congress (OPC), Agbekoya Group, National Hunters, Special Hunters, Fulani Hunters.
He commended the vital role of community-led security efforts in preventing and responding to criminal activities. He further stressed the importance of intelligence sharing, noting that the law enforcement agencies require public cooperation to effectively combat crime. While acknowledging manpower challenges, authorities assured that training and collaboration efforts would be intensified to enhance security operations.
The CP disclosed that public support is essential in providing intelligence and other forms of assistance. Community leaders pledged their continued support to completement security efforts. While urging residents to stay vigilant, report suspicious activities, and avoid direct confrontations with well-armed criminals. They emphasized the need for intelligence-driven security strategies to dismantle criminal networks effectively.
The meeting concluded with assurances of strengthened security strategies, encouraging citizens to maintain open communication with law enforcement and prioritize collective safety.
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