By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Joint Security Task Force (JTF) in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State has arrested a 40-year-old man, Owoloja Femi, suspected to be a logistics and drug supplier to bandits operating in the region.
The arrest comes barely 10 days after the apprehension of a monarch’s son and another accomplice for allegedly supplying cannabis and hard drugs to criminal groups in the area.
Owoloja, an indigene of Ejiba and Chairman of the Okada Riders Association, Ejiba Branch, was arrested around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday during a routine JTF patrol along Saminaka Road in Odo-Eri.
According to security sources, Owoloja and an accomplice, who is currently on the run, had already loaded two cartons of hard drugs onto a motorcycle when they sighted the patrol team. While his partner escaped, Owoloja was apprehended after a brief chase as he attempted to flee the scene.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect procured the drugs from a chemist shop in Egbe for delivery to bandits hiding in nearby forests. The JTF recovered the two cartons of illicit drugs, a motorcycle, and N600,000 in cash, believed to be proceeds or operational funds from the illegal transaction.
Security operatives have since detained the suspect for further interrogation, as investigations continue to uncover other collaborators, financiers, and supply networks aiding banditry and drug trafficking in Yagba West.
Reacting to the arrest, the Executive Chairman of Yagba West Local Government Area and Chairman of Kogi State ALGON, Hon. Tosin Olokun, commended the JTF for its swift action and ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal logistics networks across the region.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Adeyemi Babarinde Sunday, the Chairman reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to ensuring security and peace in all communities within the local government.
He further warned residents against aiding, harboring, or conducting any form of transaction with criminal elements, stressing that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted according to the law.
Olokun assured that the local government would continue to collaborate with security agencies to strengthen intelligence sharing and sustain the fight against crime in Kogi State.
