Kogi seizes illegal weapons, arrests suspects

The Kogi State Government says security forces have seized a large stash of arms and ammunition meant for criminal groups in the area.

The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, shared this in a statement on Sunday.

He revealed that the operation led to the arrest of three individuals and the recovery of weapons believed to be intended for armed groups facing pressure from ongoing security operations.

"The successful interception of the arms consignment shows that the Government is always ahead of those trying to disrupt the peace of the State," Mr Fanwo said.

He explained that the operation was a joint effort involving local security operatives under the Kogi State security framework, Hybrid Forces under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army.

Mr Fanwo stated that security agencies acted on tips indicating that arms and ammunition were being transported in a Golf 2 vehicle for delivery to criminal elements in Kogi State.

He noted that the suspects were under surveillance for over two weeks before their arrest in Sokoto State through a coordinated operation that included security agencies and the Sokoto State Government.

The commissioner said the intelligence gathered during the operation led to the interception of the weapons and the impounding of the vehicle in Kabba, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area.

According to the statement, security forces recovered two AK-47 rifles, several magazines, 67 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, two pistols, 12 rounds of pistol ammunition, and military uniforms.

Mr Fanwo said initial intelligence suggested the weapons were meant to restock the arms of criminal groups that had faced setbacks during recent military actions.

"Intelligence reports show that the intercepted weapons were part of an attempt by criminal elements to restock their reduced arms supply after suffering major losses in recent weeks," he said.

The government connected this event to security operations that followed the killing of Kachalla Batijo, a suspected bandit leader linked to attacks in parts of Kogi State.

PREMIUM TIMES reported on June 17 that the Kogi State Government confirmed the killing of Mr Batijo, who was linked to the attack on Government Secondary School, Iluke, in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area.

The government stated that the suspected bandit leader was killed after an operation involving the military, police, DSS, and local security groups following intelligence that armed groups planned to abduct students writing exams at the school.

Mr Fanwo mentioned that over 15 bodies of suspected terrorists were recovered after the operation.

This latest seizure comes as security measures have intensified across Kogi State.

On June 13, PREMIUM TIMES reported that the state government banned commercial motorcycle operations in many Bunu communities, closed markets along certain routes, restricted fuel sales in jerrycans, and banned movement on state-owned roads after 7 p.m.

The government said these measures were put in place to prevent food, fuel, medicines, and logistics from reaching armed groups hiding in forests around Kabba-Bunu.

The state also pointed out that intelligence showed motorcycle operators were being used to transport supplies and gather information for criminal groups.

Military operations have continued in the affected areas.

On June 17, the Nigerian Army announced the rescue of five kidnapping victims left behind by fleeing terrorists during ongoing counter-terrorism operations in Adankolo Forest.

Earlier, on June 1, troops rescued 23 kidnapped passengers after gunmen attacked travelers along the Ayegunle-Bunu road. Another operation on June 4 led to the rescue of a woman and her six-month-old child who were kidnapped in Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area.

Mr Fanwo said investigations into the seized arms and the suspected trafficking network are ongoing.

He urged residents to keep providing security agencies with trustworthy information and added that the state government would keep up intelligence-led operations and work with security agencies to fight banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.