Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Lokoja, Kogi State — The Kogi State Police Command has announced significant progress in ongoing security operations across the state, saying joint efforts involving the police, the military and the Nigeria Police Force Airwing have successfully dislodged bandits from their forest hideouts, dismantled criminal networks and neutralised several suspects.
According to the command, the coordinated offensive combines ground operations with precision air support, enabling security forces to target previously inaccessible enclaves used by armed groups to plan and launch attacks. The Police Airwing, working in close synergy with troops on the ground, carried out targeted strikes that disrupted the operational capacity of the bandits and forced many to flee their established camps deep within forested areas.
The police said the sustained pressure has yielded “remarkable success,” noting that several criminal hideouts have been overrun while networks linked to kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes have been effectively broken. Although specific casualty figures were not disclosed, authorities confirmed that multiple suspects were neutralised during engagements, while others are believed to have escaped with injuries.
In a statement released by the command, the police emphasised that the operation remains ongoing and forms part of a broader strategy to restore peace and security across communities affected by banditry and related crimes. The command stressed that the collaboration between the police and the military reflects an intelligence-driven approach designed to deny criminal elements freedom of movement and safe havens within the state.
As security forces consolidate the gains recorded so far, residents have been urged to remain vigilant and support ongoing efforts by providing timely and credible information. The police specifically appealed to members of the public to report suspicious movements, the presence of unfamiliar individuals in their communities, or persons seen with unexplained injuries that could be linked to recent clashes with security operatives.
The command noted that community cooperation remains critical at this stage, as fleeing suspects may attempt to blend into nearby towns and villages to evade arrest. By promptly sharing information with security agencies, residents can help prevent the regrouping of criminal elements and reduce the risk of retaliatory attacks.
Banditry has posed a persistent challenge in parts of Kogi State, particularly in forested corridors that connect to neighbouring states. Armed groups have often exploited the terrain to carry out attacks on travellers, raid rural communities and abduct residents for ransom. In response, security agencies have intensified joint operations, combining aerial surveillance with ground patrols and targeted raids.
The police reiterated that the current crackdown is aimed not only at neutralising armed groups but also at restoring public confidence and ensuring the safety of lives and property. Authorities assured residents that security forces would maintain the tempo of operations until criminal activities are brought under control.
While acknowledging the progress recorded so far, the command called for continued patience and cooperation from the public, stressing that security is a shared responsibility. Officials expressed optimism that with sustained collaboration between security agencies and local communities, the state would witness lasting improvements in peace and stability.
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