The Kogi government says it has arrested 26 suspected kidnappers and informants in a cleanup operation in Bunu Forest in Kogi West Local Government.

The state security adviser, Jerry Omodara, disclosed this during a press briefing on Tuesday in Odo-Ape in Kabba-Bunu Local Government.

Mr Omodara noted that the operation, which lasted for two weeks, was part of the government’s efforts to tackle insecurity in the state.

He said the operation was carried out in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) and other security agencies.

According to Mr Omodara, the suspects include natives who have been aiding the activities of bandits by supplying them with logistics, such as food, drinks, and water.

“Our investigations, after the death of the kidnapped retired Major Joe Ajayi, we discovered that some natives were involved.

“The arrested suspects are helping the security agencies to get to the root causes of the rampant kidnapping in the area.

“We are not going to allow it; we will be after them because Kogi is not any other state that criminals, bandits and kidnappers will want to ride on and occupy,” he said.

Mr Omodara emphasised the government’s commitment to ensuring peace and security in Kogi.

He stressed that Governor Ahmed Ododo’s efforts to tackle insecurity had yielded positive results, with the arrest of many criminal elements across the state.

The security adviser warned politicians, traditional rulers, and youths who collaborate with kidnappers to desist from such activities because the state government would take action against such persons.

Mr Omodara noted that the government had also formed a defence system to prevent the influx of criminals from neighbouring states.

Also speaking, Jeremiah Danjuma, deputy commandant of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) in Kogi West, attributed the success in combating kidnapping and banditry to the collaborative efforts of the state and federal governments.

“Through the joint efforts, we formed the Civilian JTF, which has recorded significant achievements.

“In our cleanup operation last night at Bunu forests, we apprehended 16 (alleged) bandits and kidnappers, including some from Zamfara.

“Some of the suspects were immediately handed over to the DSS for further investigation,” Mr Danjuma said.

The traditional ruler of Aiyegunle-Igun Bunu Community, Sunday Omodamori, commended the government and security agencies for their efforts in tackling insecurity in the area.

He urged the communities in the area to look inward and address the issue of collaborators among their people.

(NAN)