Joint Security Task Force Begin Land, Air Offensive Against Kidnappers in Kogi

In a significant move to curb the menace of kidnapping, a joint security task force has launched a comprehensive land and air offensive against kidnappers in the forests of Yagba West Local Government Area, Kogi State. This region, known for its dense forests, shares borders with Kwara, Ekiti, and parts of Niger states, making it a notorious hub for criminal activities.

The task force, which includes the Army, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), vigilantes, and local hunters, is now in its second week of operations aimed at dismantling the kidnappers’ strongholds.

Significant progress has been made, with several arrests already reported. The decision to intensify these operations follows a spate of kidnappings, banditry, and robberies across Kogi State. A recent attack on May 9 saw gunmen invade the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH) in Osara, Kogi Central, resulting in the abduction of several students. Although 21 students have been rescued, the killing of a hostage has fueled further urgency in the offensive.

Governor Usman Ododo and Commissioner of Police Bertrand Onuoha have been at the forefront of these efforts, supported by the governments of Kogi, Kwara, and Ekiti states, and coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West, has also shown strong support for the initiative, providing meals for the troops engaged in the operation. Kogi Security Adviser Commodore Jerry Omodara (rtd) has expressed gratitude for Senator Karimi’s contributions.

Community leaders, including the Emla of Ilemla, Oba Rotimi Victor Dada, have praised the intervention. “Over the years, our farmers were unable to tend to their farms, and our markets suffered. Thanks to the efforts of His Excellency Alhaji Usman Ododo and the Federal Government, our forests are being reclaimed from the kidnappers,” Oba Dada remarked, highlighting the operation’s success.