APC women leader's death: Police, vigilante kill 3 kidnappers

Three members of a kidnapping gang that reportedly killed the All Progressive Congress, women’s leader recently were killed by the combined team of the police and local vigilantes during a gun battle.

It was gathered that after the kidnappers were overpowered in a forest in Ejiu, Obbo Ile and Osi forest others fled with wounds from gunshots.

The exhibits recovered from the kidnappers included one cut-to-size locally made pistol, one locally-made gun, four cutlasses, a bunch of criminal charms, and Six expended cartridges.

According to the spokesman of Kwara State police command, Okasanmi Ajayi, the gang of kidnappers were responsible for the killing of the kidnapped APC Women leader who was killed during the collection of ransom two weeks ago and other high profile kidnapping cases in the area.

Okasanmi said that one Dogo, who has been on the wanted list of the police, was among the suspects, adding that efforts were on to arrest the fleeing suspects.

He said in a statement, “While on the trail of the kidnappers abducting and in few cases killing their victims around Kwara South Senatorial Zone of Kwara State, especially the recent kidnap and killings of a political party women leader and others in Obbo, Eruku and Isapa axis, tactical teams of Kwara State Police Command, working with the Vigilantes and local hunters, engaged the kidnappers in Ejiu, Obbo Ile and Osi forest at about 2100hrs of 28/3/2022 and 29/3/2022.

“During an exchange of fire between the kidnappers, the joint teams of vigilante and police, three of the kidnappers were neutralized, while others escaped with gunshot injuries.

“One of the neutralized kidnappers was identified as Dogo, who has been on the wanted list of the police for the killings of one Femi Afolayan for failure to pay ransom sometime in February 2022.

“Efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing kidnappers to    free the axis that has been termed a danger zone by the citizens of the area.

It would be recalled that the abducted Women Leader of the Koro Ward of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Mrs Olumo Abolaji, was reportedly shot dead recently during a rescue operation.

Abolaji was said to have been shot dead during an exchange of gunfire between the bandits and a combined team of soldiers and hunters.

The deceased was one of the eight people kidnapped on evening between Araromi Opin and Obbo-Ile while returning home on their way after the swearing-in of the state executive of the party.

According to the Chairman of APC in the state, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, who confirmed the incident said two of the three victims were rescued alive.

‘Two of our party women leaders in Eruku ward and Obbo-Ile ward were rescued alive, but unfortunately, we lost one of them. The woman leader of the Koro ward was killed by the bandits.

One killed as Police foil attack on Dangote Refinery

An attempt by some hoodlums to attack Dangote Refinery at the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos, was foiled by the Police in the early hours of yesterday.

Consequently, one of the hoodlums was killed during the gun battle between the Police and the hoodlums.

The hoodlums numbering 22 reportedly gained access into the refinery through the Lagoon side and attempted to cart away the already installed armoured cables in the refinery when the Police swooped on them.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said: “One of the hoodlums was hit in the ensuing gunfire and died on the way to the hospital. Others took to their heels.

“Meanwhile, on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Abiodun Alabi, security at the refinery has been fortified.”

Cult clash: School, market closed

Four people have been reportedly killed while about five houses have been burnt as rival cult groups clashed in Kabawa, one of the traditional areas of Lokoja, Kogi State capital.

It was gathered that the clash started on Monday night as two rival groups engaged themselves in a free-for-all, which led to the killing and burning of the houses and a tricycle (Keke NAPEP) in Kabawa.

As the clash continued yesterday morning, schools and markets were shut.

Most of the cultists are said to be teenagers between 14 and 17 years of age, who are either in secondary schools or learning trades in the area.

The crisis saw residents moving their families to secure places to avoid being caught in the clash.

The Monday crisis was said to be a reprisal by one of the groups following the killing of one of their members in January.

The sources said the cultists, armed with guns and other dangerous weapons, invaded the street, attacked people and burnt houses they believed to belong to their rival families.

However, when the police stormed the area, yesterday, to calm the situation, some of the cultists also engaged the security agents in a gun battle that lasted several hours before they were overpowered.

A source in the area said: “Some of the cultists jumped into the River Niger to avoid arrest and then swam to the other side of the river bank.”

15 suspects apprehended — Police Command

The Kogi State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP William Aya, while confirming the incident, said 15 suspects have been arrested by the command.

Aya said the command can only confirm that one person was killed, adding that they are still investigating what led to the incident.

The Kogi State government, however, read riot act to cultists in the state, warning that proactive actions against whoever is involved in the crisis will soon be taken.

The State Security Adviser, Jerry Omodara, warned that “cultists and other miscreants fomenting trouble in traditional areas of Lokoja should be ready for the government onslaught as the state government will not allow anybody rubbish its successes in the area of security.

He said: “Henceforth, anybody who feels he’s powerful should try the government. Irrespective of how highly placed, the person will be dealt with decisively.

“Be rest assured that Governor Bello will deal decisively with cultism in Kabawa. We will arrest the situation and I assure you that we’ve moved into the area and made tremendous progress after enough intelligence gathering.

“We’ve identified the culprits having extensively discussed it at the security council meeting. We’ve gone deep into the matter. Be rest assured that Governor Bello will not shy away from his responsibilities in fighting crime, be it armed robbery, kidnapping ot cultism.”

Culled from Vanguard