By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
Operatives of Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) has arrested 26 kidnappers in collaboration with the security agencies in a clean-up operations in Kogi West.
The State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd), disclosed this while parading the suspects to newsmen on Tuesday in Odo-Ape, Kabba-Bunu Local government area in Kogi state.
Omodara noted that the operation, which was carried out in the last two weeks, was part of the government’s efforts to tackle insecurity in the state.
According to Omodara, the arrested suspects include natives who have been aiding the activities of bandits by supplying them with logistics such as food, drinks, water, and others.
“It is not only the kidnappers group in the forest that have been arrested, but also the natives that are collaborating with them.
“Our deep investigation after the death of the kidnapped retired major Joe Ajayi, revealed that some natives were involved and they are helping the security agencies to get to the root causes of the rising kidnapping in the area.”
“The Kogi Government is very serious about it, and that is why we are calling on Communities to imbibe first line of defense level, as vigilantes are allowed to carry certain levels of arms.
“We urge communities to develop some level of intelligence. Our women are currently being used to buy food and drinks and others, and sending it through some of the youths in the communities who are bandits collaborators.”
“Governor Ahmed Ododo is committed to ensure that peace return to every community not only in Bunu land but to all communities across Kogi State.”
“We have taken some proactive measures; when the heat is on in Benue State, as the border lines such as Olamaboro and Omala Local Government Areas have been barricaded as a defense to ensure that we don’t have influx of some criminals into the state,”‘ Omodara said.
The Security Adviser assured that the government would not take the issue of security lightly and would continue to work with security agencies to bring perpetrators to book.
He warned politicians, traditional rulers, and youth who are collaborating with kidnappers to desist from such activities, assuring that the government would take action against anyone found wanting.
Also speaking, Mr. Jeremiah Danjuma, Deputy Commandant of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) in Kogi West, attributed the success in combating kidnapping and banditry to the collaborative efforts of the state and federal governments.
Recalled that retired Major, Joe Ajayi, who was kidnapped on May 21, 2025, at his residence in Odo-Ape, died on June 9, in captivity despite his family paying a N10 million ransom.
