Security operatives comprising the Nigerian Army and Nigeria Police Force Air Wing have neutralised scores of bandits and dismantled criminal networks across forested areas of Kogi State during intensified offensives at the weekend, the state Police Command has confirmed.
In a statement issued in Lokoja on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP William Ovye-Aya, said the joint operation was part of sustained efforts to rid the state of criminal elements terrorising local communities and threatening public safety.
“The ongoing onslaught against bandit operations in Kogi State by the joint police and military has yielded fruitful results. Bandits were flushed out, their networks dislodged, and scores were neutralised,” the spokesperson said, adding that the offensive was conducted with “vigour, commitment and utmost professionalism.”
According to the statement, the Nigeria Police Force Air Wing played a crucial role by carrying out precision air strikes in support of ground forces, significantly weakening bandit strongholds hidden in dense forest enclaves.
The operation comes amid a broader security push in Kogi, following a spate of criminal activities, including high-profile kidnappings and community raids in recent months.
Residents and officials have raised alarm over several kidnapping incidents across the state. In the days leading up to the offensive, gunmen suspected to be bandits abducted four family members in Zango community, Adavi Local Government Area, underscoring the persistence of insecurity in rural districts.
Earlier episodes included armed attacks on worshippers at a church in Aiyetoro Kiri, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, where congregants were seized after gunfire erupted.
Security forces have maintained pressure through coordinated operations. In early January, troops of the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army reportedly foiled bandit movements in parts of Kabba-Bunu and Yagba West Local Government Areas, neutralising several suspects and recovering weapons.
The Kogi State Government, led by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, has also ramped up logistics support for security agencies. In recent weeks, the governor donated 49 vehicles to security outfits across the state to enhance mobility and response times, stressing that “security is a shared responsibility.”
Governor Ododo has reiterated that his administration will not negotiate with criminals, insisting that the state possesses the capacity to confront and dismantle bandit networks.
CSP Ovye-Aya has appealed to the public to stay vigilant and assist security agencies by reporting suspicious activities or individuals — especially those with gunshot wounds, unexplained injuries, or unusual behaviour — to the nearest police station.
He emphasised that “security remains a collective responsibility,” urging residents to share credible intelligence to sustain the gains of recent operations.
