Eight Suspected Informants Nabbed As Security Forces Dismantle Bandit Camps In Kogi

Operatives of the Kogi State command of the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, local hunters and vigilante groups, have arrested eight suspected criminal elements, including alleged informants, during coordinated bush-combing operations across parts of the state.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday in Lokoja by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat.

The statement noted that the exercise involved a thorough combing of identified forested and remote areas suspected to be vulnerable to criminal activities.

Police authorities said the operation formed part of ongoing intelligence-driven security measures across the state aimed at proactively detecting, disrupting and dismantling criminal networks.

“Ground operations were effectively complemented with aerial surveillance, providing enhanced situational awareness, tracking of suspicious movements, and the identification of concealed criminal hideouts,” the statement read.

According to the command, several bandit camps and hideouts discovered during the operation were dismantled to prevent their reuse.

“In line with this strategy, discovered bandit camps and hideouts were neutralised to prevent reuse and deny criminal elements any operational comfort.

“Overwhelmed by the coordinated presence and superior deployment of security forces, suspected criminal elements fled their enclaves, abandoning several hideout locations.

“In the course of the operation, eight (8) suspects were arrested at different points for questioning in connection with suspected criminal activities,” the statement added.

Police authorities said preliminary investigations indicated that some of the suspects were believed to be informants aiding kidnapping syndicates operating within the area.

The command stated that the suspects were currently in custody and undergoing a thorough investigation, after which appropriate legal action would be taken based on the outcome.

It added that areas covered during the operation had remained calm and stable, with sustained and visible security presence to reassure residents and prevent any breach of peace.

Naija News reports that the police stressed that the joint operations were continuous and part of a comprehensive statewide security strategy.

“The joint security operations are continuous, deliberate, and statewide, forming part of a comprehensive and proactive security architecture designed to keep criminal elements constantly unsettled until they are completely dismantled.

“These sustained efforts reflect the superb, strategic, and result-oriented leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, psc, mni, whose commitment to intelligence-driven policing, modern surveillance support, and strong inter-agency collaboration continues to yield tangible security gains across the State,” the statement noted.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police assured residents of the command’s firm control of the security situation and reiterated its resolve to protect lives and property.

The command urged members of the public to remain calm, law-abiding and vigilant, and to report any suspicious activity promptly for immediate action.