Police arrest key suspect in Kogi community attack, recover 100 cattle

The Kogi State Police Command has announced a significant operational successe on June 3, 2026 when a key suspect in the bandits attack on Ayegunle Community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area and along the Kabba–Obajana Road last Saturday .

A statement issued on Wednesday by the Command’s spokesperson, ASP Oyiza Afusat stated that the arrest was made in the early hours of 1st June, 2026.

“Following a distress call received at about 2:49 a.m. reporting sporadic gunfire in Ayegunle Community, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Kankarofi, immediately deployed tactical and operational assets to the area.

“Joint security operatives comprising personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services (DSS), Kogi State Vigilante Service, Forest Guards, Civilian Joint Task Force, and other critical security stakeholders were promptly mobilized to the affected locations,” Afusat stated.

She said that preliminary investigations revealed that the attack was masterminded by a notorious bandit kingpin known as Batijo, who ordered the invasion of Ayegunle Community at about 2:00 a.m.

“Intelligence gathered so far indicates that the attack was carried out in retaliation for the arrest of some associates of the gang leader.

She said that the traditional ruler of Ayegunle Community, Oba Sunday Omodamori, was the principal target of the attack, as the hoodlums had planned to abduct him. However, the criminals failed in their objective as he was not in his residence at the time of the invasion.

She stated, “The hoodlums subsequently ransacked parts of the community and abducted three residents, namely Ojo Abiodun, Bunmi Sunday and Chief James Obayomi. Sadly, Chief James Obayomi was later killed by the criminals while attempting to escape from captivity, while the other victims remain in captivity.

“The criminals thereafter proceeded to the Kabba–Obajana Road, where they blocked the highway and opened fire on moving vehicles in an attempt to force motorists to stop. During the attack, they forcefully stopped a container truck and shot the driver in both legs. The hoodlums also intercepted two commercial 18-seater buses with registration numbers ENU 444 ZJ and MKD 698 XH, abducting several passengers from both vehicles.

“The attackers further opened fire on another commercial bus with registration number MKA 837 ZA after the driver refused to stop. As a result, one passenger, Abdullahi Hashimu, lost his life instantly after sustaining gunshot wounds, while four others sustained varying degrees of injuries and were immediately evacuated to medical facilities in Kabba for treatment.