Insecurity: Over 30 gunmen attack Police Area Command in Kogi
…Hunters, Vigilante collaborate to foil attack, kill one attacker — Info commissioner
By Uthman Salami
Kogi state government has confirmed attack of the Okene Area Command of Nigeria Police Force by gunmen, over 30, during the late hours of yesterday.
The state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo made this known yesterday via a statement received by Nigerian NewsDirect.
The statement partly read, “The Kogi State Government wishes to report that the Okene Area Command of the Nigerian Police Force was attacked by gunmen numbering over 30 in the late hours of Sunday February 6, 2020.
He said, while commending the efforts of the joint security forces, “However, they were shown the strength and efficacy of the Kogi security architecture as the local hunters, men of the State Vigilante Service collaborated with other security operatives to spontaneously foil the attack.
“The superior firepower of the combined security network of the state ensured one of them was gunned down immediately while others ran away with various degrees of gun wounds.
“Two of their motorcycles were recovered as well as various arms and ammunition. Also, explosives meant to shatter the command were immediately detonated by experts.
“The onslaught against the gunmen was coordinated by the Executive Chairmen of Local Government Areas in Kogi Central and the SSA on Security to the Governor in charge of Kogi Central.”
The Commissioner, however, noted that, “This is the second time in less than two months that Kogi proved impregnable to criminals as tens of them lost their lives in the attack on Yagba West LGA of the state last December.
“The Executive Governor of the State, Alh. Yahaya Bello is renowned for stating that, ‘the criminals will come in their numbers but go back in their zeros.’ The gunmen have been thoroughly given the Kogi threat.
“No innocent lives were lost, instead, the criminals were the ones that received gun wounds and lost one of them on the spot.”
The government, meanwhile, called on “traditional medical homes and other medical facilities to report anyone with gun wounds to the nearest security formation as our local hunters are giving them a run for their money in the bush right now. We shall keep you updated on developments.
“The Governor, His Excellency Alh. Yahaya Bello wishes to assure all Kogites and residents of the state that he will do everything humanly possible to secure their lives and property.”
