Operatives of the Kogi State Police Command, in collaboration with the military and local vigilantes, have rescued 24 victims kidnapped on Friday, 29th December, 2023 within Adogo axis, under Ajaokuta Local Government Area of the State.
The Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr Bethrand Onuoha, disclosed this in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO) SP William Ovye Aya in Lokoja, obtained by DAILY POST on Sunday.
The statement said, “consequent upon the upsurge of kidnapping activities along Ajaokuta-Adogo-Okene road, where some students and staff of Comprehensive High School,Ajaokuta and other travellers were abducted on 29th December, 2023, the Area Commander Ajaokuta, ACP Ayodele Ola Arogbo promptly swung into action.
“He led a combined team of police, military and local vigilantes to the scene, and while combing the bush, three victims were rescued, including one of the students”.
He added that on Saturday, 30th December, 2023, the Commissioner of Police in Kogi State deployed an additional tactical squad, which consists of the Quick Response Unit to the area to join the Team led by SP Sule Musa, Divisional Police Officer, Ajaokuta Division.
According to him, the team continued with the bush combing and ensured the remaining victims were rescued.
He said the team were also instructed to ensure that the hoodlums were apprehended and brought to deserved justice.
“While the team was combing the bush, the hoodlums sighted them from their hideout, opened fire at them. During a gun duel that ensued, owing to the superior firepower of the team, the hoodlums were forced to flee and abandon their victims.
“While 21 victims, including eleven 11 students and three teachers were rescued unhurt, efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects,” he added.
The Commissioner of Police while commending the efforts of the team, assured the people of a continued onslaught against criminal elements.
Meanwhile, a group under the auspice of Concerned Youths in Ajaokuta has commended Ajaokuta Area Commander, Nigeria Police Force, ACP Ayodele Ola Arogbo, and other security agencies, for rescuing all the kidnapped victims in the Local Government.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson on Sunday, Eneye Onimisi, he noted that, since ACP Arogbo was deployed to Ajaokuta, the local government has not been a safe haven for criminal elements.
