The Kogi State Police Command has intensified search and rescue operations for travellers abducted by gunmen along the Okene–Auchi Road on Friday.

The Kogi State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Saliu Afusat, said in a statement issued to journalists in Lokoja on Sunday that the operation involves the coordinated deployment of police and military personnel to forest areas suspected to be used as hideouts by the kidnappers.

Afusat said the command immediately activated its rescue response after the incident and commenced intelligence-driven bush-combing operations across identified forest corridors within the Okene–Ajaokuta axis, particularly around the Ebiya Forest and adjoining areas.

According to her, the operation involves personnel from the Area Command, Okene; the 77 Police Mobile Force Squadron, Okene; Okene Division; Adavi Division; the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Kogi State Police Command; the Violent Crime Response Unit; as well as detachments of the Nigerian Army operating from Forward Operating Bases within the area.

She added that the operation has received support from the Edo State Police Command, including its Anti-Kidnapping Unit and other tactical personnel.

“To deny the criminal elements any escape route, the Command has further strengthened joint operations across the Kogi–Edo border, with security personnel conducting coordinated clearance operations and intelligence-driven patrols in identified forest locations linked to the incident,” the statement said.

As the operation progressed, security teams identified and searched suspected criminal hideouts within the forest, recovering foodstuffs, cooking ingredients, an army-pattern jungle hat and a National Identity Card, among other items believed to have been left behind by the suspects.

The police said the hideouts were subsequently destroyed and set ablaze to prevent further use by the criminal elements.

Although no kidnapped victim was rescued during the initial phase of the operation, Afusat said security forces had continued their advance into the forest and adjoining areas in a bid to locate and rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible.

She said the operation continued on Saturday, August 8, with tactical teams advancing towards identified locations of interest along the Ajaokuta and Adoko axes.

“Technical support, including the deployment of drones by the Nigerian Army and Edo State Police Command, is also being utilised to enhance surveillance and intelligence gathering during the operation,” she said.

The Commissioner of Police in Kogi State, Naziru Bello Kankarofi, has directed the operational teams to sustain the search and rescue efforts until all the victims are safely recovered and the perpetrators brought to justice.

The police commissioner also assured members of the public that the command was working closely with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to ensure that those behind the abduction do not escape justice.

The command acknowledged the anxiety generated by the incident and urged residents, particularly those around the affected areas, to remain calm and vigilant while providing security agencies with timely and credible information that could assist the ongoing operation.

“The safety and recovery of the victims remain the Command’s immediate priority,” Afusat said.

Calm Restored To Abugi – Police

Meanwhile, the police said calm had been restored to Abugi Kingdom in Lokoja Local Government Area following recent reprisal killings in the community.

The command said it had taken steps to prevent further escalation and restore peace in the affected area.

According to Afusat, the Area Command, Lokoja, in collaboration with relevant security and community stakeholders, held engagements with traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to promote reconciliation, restore peaceful coexistence and address the underlying causes of the conflict.

She said a full-scale investigation into the killings had also commenced through the State Criminal Investigation Department.

“Efforts are underway to identify, trace and apprehend all persons found to have participated in or contributed to the killings.

“The investigation will be pursued diligently, and any suspect found culpable will be brought before the law to face the appropriate legal consequences,” the statement said.

The police said security personnel remained strategically deployed within the affected communities to prevent further violence and protect lives and property.

“Following the interventions and stakeholder engagements, normalcy has been restored to Abugi and its environs, with security monitoring continuing to ensure that the peace is sustained,” the statement added.

The command, however, stressed that the restoration of calm would not halt the ongoing investigation, maintaining that all those responsible for the loss of lives would be identified and brought to justice.

The Commissioner of Police reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across Kogi State and urged residents to remain law-abiding and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to the police and other security agencies. (Channels)