TheCable

The Kogi government says a vigilante group has killed 11 bandits terrorising various communities in Koton Karfe LGA of the state.

In a statement on Sunday, Onogwu Muhammed, chief press secretary (CPS) to Yahaya Bello, governor of the state, said security operatives also nabbed one Abdullahi Saidu, an officer of the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps (NCDC), who allegedly supplies weapons to the criminals.

According to the CPS, the NCDC officer is also alleged to be supplying security information to the criminals.

He stated that the security operatives rescued kidnapped victims at the criminals’ hideouts.

“A group of bandits terrorising some parts of Koton Karfe Local Government Area of Kogi State have met their waterloo,” Muhammed said.

“As officers of the State’s Vigilante Group killed 11 of them, arrested others while three kidnapped victims were rescued successfully

“The successful operation by the security operatives was done in series and with a detailed account the Kogi State Vigilante operatives narrating that Alaidi, the ring leader was killed during the first camp attack.

“Other members of the bandit group, Rabo and seven others were crushed. Madei and one other were killed in the second kidnapper’s camp while Umar escaped with gunshot injury but was recaptured.

“Five of the kidnappers arrested including the Civil Defence operative were in the custody of the Department of State Security for further investigations.”

Muhammed further noted that the operation by the security agencies is a proof that the security architecture of the state is strong.

He stated that the continued efforts of the state government to keep the momentum as “the safest state in the country” is yielding remarkable results.