The Kogi State Government has recorded another breakthrough in its ongoing campaign against kidnapping and criminal collaboration with the arrest of two additional informants suspected of aiding kidnappers in the Okunland region of the state.
The announcement was made on Monday by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, who described the arrests as a significant step in dismantling the support networks that embolden kidnappers to strike in local communities.
According to Fanwo, the fresh arrests were made after the confession of a previously apprehended suspect, Babatunde Aledare, who was caught in Ayetoro Kiri, a town in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area. Aledare is said to have provided crucial intelligence that directly led to the capture of two of his alleged accomplices, identified as Dare Okegbe and Lakutu Omobab Ajelesimi.
Both men, also residents of Ayetoro Kiri, reportedly admitted to collaborating with kidnapping gangs by providing inside information on the movements and vulnerabilities of individuals in their own community.
“This development marks another significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to dismantle kidnapping networks in Okunland,” said Fanwo in the statement. “We commend the security agencies and local intelligence collaborators whose efforts continue to yield results.”
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Fanwo reaffirmed the Yahaya Bello-led government’s zero-tolerance stance on all forms of criminality, reiterating the administration’s commitment to making Kogi State a safe haven for all law-abiding citizens. He noted that while the arrests were a positive development, investigations are far from over.
“The hunt continues. We are committed to pursuing every lead until the entire network of kidnappers and their informants are rooted out,” Fanwo declared. “No one who endangers the lives of our citizens will be spared justice.”
The operation is part of a broader security initiative to clamp down on informants who play a key role in enabling abductions by supplying criminals with insider knowledge. According to local authorities, these informants often live within the very communities they betray, making them particularly dangerous.
Residents of Ayetoro Kiri and surrounding areas have expressed relief over the arrests, with some calling for stiffer penalties for locals who aid and abet kidnapping. Civil society groups in the region have also urged the government to prioritize community sensitization and increase surveillance in vulnerable areas.
As investigations continue, Fanwo urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity, promising anonymity and protection for whistleblowers.
“The safety of our people is non-negotiable,” he concluded. “We will not rest until Okunland and all of Kogi are free from the menace of kidnapping.”
InsideStoryNews
