The Kogi State Government has uncovered a hidden network of informants, local vendors, and fuel dealers who have allegedly been supporting kidnapping gangs operating from forest hideouts across the state. This development followed a recent spike in abductions and targeted killings in several local government areas, prompting an intensive joint security operation.
The state’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, confirmed in a statement on Sunday that security forces launched coordinated crackdowns in Kabba/Bunu, Ijumu, Yagba East, and Yagba West. The operations were triggered by a series of violent incidents, including the murder of a retired military officer in Odo-Ape and the abduction of a prominent farmer in Ponyan. Similar incidents had also been reported in Yagba West. According to Fanwo, several kidnapped victims were successfully rescued during these missions, thanks to the swift response and collaboration of various security agencies.
Among the key discoveries was the involvement of Samson Enietan, a man described as a known criminal informant. His death, which followed shortly after his links to criminal groups were exposed, was initially ruled a suicide. However, the Kogi State Government has cast doubt on that conclusion, suggesting that Enietan may have been executed by fellow conspirators seeking to silence him and prevent further exposure of their network.
The rescue of victims kidnapped from Kiri in the Kabba/Bunu area led to the arrest of Babatunde Aledare, a resident of Ayetoro Kiri, who confessed to being a primary informant for the gang. His arrest reportedly opened the door to more revelations, and authorities confirmed that several other individuals had been apprehended in the 48 hours following his confession. These developments have helped establish the existence of a well-organized local support structure enabling kidnapping gangs to operate undetected.
Further investigations revealed a disturbing pattern of collaboration involving seemingly ordinary businesses. Bread sellers and sachet water producers were found to be supplying food and drinking water directly to kidnappers in the forests. These items were typically delivered by commercial motorcyclists acting as couriers between town-based vendors and criminal hideouts. This arrangement allowed the kidnappers to sustain prolonged stays in remote areas without needing to leave cover.
The probe also implicated several fuel stations that allegedly sold petrol in jerrycans, which were then transported to the kidnappers to power their generators and vehicles. Fanwo emphasized that these logistical links had become crucial to the survival and efficiency of kidnapping gangs in the state.
In response, the Kogi State Government has vowed to dismantle every element of this illicit supply chain and bring all collaborators to justice. Fanwo warned that anyone—individual or business—found aiding or abetting kidnappers in any form would be treated as an accomplice and prosecuted accordingly. He stated firmly that the government would spare no one, regardless of status, position, or influence, in its bid to eliminate criminal support networks within the state.