The Kogi State Police Command has foiled two kidnapping attempts on 23 passengers along the Lokoja/Kabba road, resulting in the death of one passenger and injuries to six others. According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Aya, the incident occurred on Monday when operatives attached to Obajana Division responded to sporadic gunfire along Obajana–Oshokoshoko Road.
The police patrol team engaged the armed hoodlums in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon their victims and flee. All 23 passengers were successfully rescued, but six victims sustained injuries, and one died while receiving treatment. The police operation was part of sustained efforts to rid Kogi State of all forms of crime and criminality.
In a related development, operatives attached to Ayingba Division arrested two suspects, Umaru Jibril and Lukman Umaru, on June 21, 2025, for being in possession of a locally made pistol, two live cartridges, and weeds suspected to be Indian hemp. The suspects will be arraigned in court upon completion of the investigation.
Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Miller G. Dantawaye, reassured the public of the command’s unwaverinkg commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property in the state. The police are working to track down the fleeing suspects and prevent further incidents.
The incident highlights the increasing insecurity on Nigeria’s highways and the efforts of law enforcement agencies to keep citizens safe. Residents and commuters in Kogi State remain on edge, hoping for a lasting solution to the routine nightmare on the roads.
