The Kogi State government has expressed its determination to stem out crimes in the state against the the backdrop of rising insecurity.
This is on the heels of the abduction of nine persons including a councillor by gunmen at the Odo-Ape community in Kabba) Bunu Local Government Area of the state.
TheNigerian Metro learnt that the abduction took place on Tuesday night.
This is coming barely a week after three persons, including an eight-year-old boy, were abducted from the same community.
The Executive Chairman, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Zaccheaus Dare, who expressed the government resolve on Wednesday, said the days of kidnappers troubling the peace and tranquillity of the area were numbered.
According to him, “The administration of Usman Ahmed Ododo is renewing the onslaught against criminals by activating all security apparatus to rescue all those kidnapped and in custody, pointing out that the struggle of the kidnappers towards the festive period is the last kick of a dying man.”
Among those kidnapped included the newly elected councillor representing Odo-Ape ward in the Kabba-Bunu Legislative Council, Alaba Ope.
Our correspondent gathered that both the councillor and the other eight were picked from their respective houses.
A source from the community, who pleaded anonymity for fear of reprisal, confirmed to TheNigerian Metro that the gunmen struck at about 1 am on Wednesday shooting sporadically before handpicking their victims.
He said the people of Odo-Ape were now living in fear not knowing who would be the next victim, adding that just a week ago, three persons were kidnapped from the community including an eight-year-old boy.
The source said seven of the kidnapped victims were just residents in the community (five Gwari, two Bassa), noting that, “Only the councillor is an indigene of the community.”
Aside from the eight, one other person whose name was given as Silas was picked from Agbadu, a community that shares boundary with Odo-Ape.
He called on the security agencies and state government to help in protecting their lives and property and also secure the release of those kidnapped.
Kidnapping cases have been recorded lately in the local government as two brothers were kidnapped on their family land located in Aluju in Kakun while three other persons including an eight-year-old boy were abducted in the same Odo-Ape community, just last week, are all still at the kidnappers’ den.
Though the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, William Anya, had yet to respond to messages sent to him or return the calls put across to him as of the time of writing this report, a top government security officer confirmed the story to our correspondent.
He said the state security apparatus had already swung into action and would make their position known in a short time.
He however assured that the government was on top of the situation, urging people to go about their daily businesses without much fear.
