Kogi State security forces on Thursday carried out a coordinated raid on a suspected bandit camp on the outskirts of Aherin-Bunu community in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, setting the encampment ablaze and making several arrests.
The operation involved joint units from the military, the police, and local vigilantes and was led by the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (retd). Authorities said the raid followed intelligence that two suspected kidnappers, wounded in earlier clashes with security operatives, had been receiving treatment at the settlement.
Omodara gave an account of the operation and its background, saying the deployment was launched in the early hours after credible information came in. He added that the security response aimed to prevent the suspects from escaping and to deny criminals safe havens in the state.
“This is a settlement under the Aherin community in Kabba Bunu Local Government Area. About five days ago, at about 11 pm, I received an Intel that we have some of those we have confronted in the fight against banditry in Kogi State.
“Two of them are receiving treatment in a settlement around Ahenri in Kabba Bunu Local Government.
“In a swift reaction, before 4:30 am, I deployed some security personnel and our hunters and the vigilantes there to ensure that the information didn’t spread and they didn’t escape. They sustain injuries from gunshots in the course of fighting bandits.”
He said joint teams, including the Army, the DSS and the Nigerian Police, moved into the forested location, rounded up suspects and destroyed structures used to harbour criminals.
“I reported back to the Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, who directed that any house that criminals and bandits are using for treatment, such a house must be demolished.
“We are here now, and you know how far we have gone into the forest since morning. The house you are seeing here was the house we picked from two of them. We have been able to saturate everywhere that they don’t have a hiding place in our state anyone and it is difficult to see them inside the town again.
“Two fake doctors and another nurse who are treating them were also arrested by the joint security forces.”
Omodara warned that remote settlements were being used by criminals for medical care before returning to criminal activity, and said the state government would not tolerate such practices.
“We will not accept that, and we are not going to allow it. That is why the Governor said, Get down to that place and demolish their house.
“We are not going to entertain or spare anyone perpetrating crime in Kogi State,” Omidara said.
Authorities did not provide an exact number of suspects detained or name those taken into custody pending further investigation. The state security apparatus said the raid was part of ongoing efforts to deny bandits safe havens and to strengthen public safety across Kogi.
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