….as govt condemns killings of three Cops, two civilians in another operation
Soldiers and local hunters have successfully rescued the 17 Passengers who were abducted along lokoja- Obajana road on Wednesday.
The rescued passengers have been taken to a medical facilities for examination and care.
The 18 seater bus which was said to be coming from Lagos and heading to Abuja was attacked on Wednesday evening and all the 17 Passengers marched into the bush at gun point .
In another development, three police personnel were killed also on Wednesday at a check point in Egbe with two other civilians while their guns were carted away.
The killings attracted protest from the youths and locals in yagba west local government area who marched to the streets calling on government to save the area from frequent attacks by bandits and herdsmen.
According to the spoke man of the kogi state police command, Willy Aya , the police were gunned down
at a pin down point along Okoloke-Pategi road Egbe as the hoodlums emerged from the bush and attacked the team when they arrived for their routine patrol.
It was learnt that two other civilians who were coming from their farms were also attacked and killed.
While condemning the killings, an activist and Executive Director Conscience for human rights and conflicts Resolution, Idris Miliki called on president Bola Tinubu to expedite action on the establishment of a State Police.
In his words; “We urge for holistic community involvement in the security design in our state. This unfortunate incident has further reinforced the call for the creation of State police in Nigeria and the time is now.
“We call on all communities, villages and local government in Kogi State to create a security committee in their various locations. To compliment the efforts of the conventionally trained personnel, retired and serving security persons who are indigenes in such a community should be included in the villages across the state.
“Resources should be mobilized by both private and public individuals to compliment the efforts of the State and federal government as security is every business. We must always be vigilant and be conscious of our community security situation at all times. We must create an early warning and respond mechanism, shared credible and timely security information to relevant institutions and agencies” he added
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Government has expressed deep concern over the two incidents and promised to fish out all criminal elements from the state .
In a press statement signed by the state commissioner of information, Kingsley Fanwo, he said the swift response of the security to rescue the victims was highly commendable and further demonstrates the capacity and resolve of our security operatives to protect lives and property.
“We stand in solidarity with the people in the affected areas and extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen officers who paid the supreme price in the line of duty. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten, and their courage will continue to inspire the fight against criminality in our dear State.
“The Government of Kogi State calls on security agencies to intensify investigations to ensure that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes are arrested and brought to justice without delay. We equally urge citizens to continue to cooperate with security operatives by providing timely and useful information that will aid the fight against crime.
“His Excellency, the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed the determination of his administration to turn the tide against crime and guarantee the safety of lives and property across the State. Already, the deployment of personnel and security equipment to strategic locations is ongoing to forestall further breaches and to restore calm.
” We assure the people of Kogi State that our Government will never submit to acts of terror. Together with the support of the people and the resilience of our security agencies, we will overcome those who seek to disrupt the peace of our land” the statement added.
Daily Sun
