The Kogi State Police Command has arrested eight suspected criminals during coordinated bush-combing operations aimed at neutralizing bandit camps and dismantling criminal networks operating in the state.
The arrests were made during joint security raids conducted by police personnel in collaboration with other security agencies, including the military and local vigilante groups, across identified criminal hideouts in remote bushland areas.
According to a statement released by the Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, the operation represents a significant breakthrough in efforts to combat banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes that have plagued certain parts of the state.
“Our operatives, acting on credible intelligence, conducted extensive bush-combing exercises that led to the arrest of eight suspected criminals and the discovery of several bandit camps,” the police spokesperson said. “The operation dealt a major blow to criminal networks terrorizing communities in the affected areas.”
During the raids, security forces reportedly destroyed makeshift camps used by bandits as operational bases for planning and executing criminal activities, including kidnappings, cattle rustling, armed robbery, and attacks on rural communities.
Items recovered during the operation include weapons, ammunition, motorcycles suspected to have been stolen, communication devices, and other materials used in criminal enterprises. The suspects are currently in police custody undergoing interrogation to extract information about their gang’s structure, operations, and other members still at large.
The Kogi State Commissioner of Police commended the professionalism and bravery of officers involved in the operation while emphasizing the command’s commitment to making the state unsafe for criminal elements.
“We will continue to pursue these criminals relentlessly until Kogi State is completely rid of bandits and kidnappers. There will be no safe haven for those who choose the path of crime,” the commissioner stated.
Local community leaders have welcomed the security operations, expressing relief that authorities are taking decisive action against criminal gangs that have disrupted farming activities, displaced families, and created fear among rural populations.
“We have suffered tremendously from these bandits. They attack our villages, kidnap our people for ransom, and steal our livestock. We are grateful to the police and other security agencies for this operation,” one community representative said.
Bush-combing operations have become a key strategy employed by security forces across northern and north-central Nigeria to flush out bandits from forest hideouts and deny them safe operating spaces. These exercises often involve multiple security agencies working in coordination to cover extensive terrain.
The Kogi State Government has pledged continued support for security operations, including provision of logistics, intelligence gathering infrastructure, and welfare packages for personnel risking their lives to protect citizens.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo recently approved additional funding for security agencies and launched community policing initiatives designed to enhance information sharing between residents and law enforcement.
Security analysts have praised the collaborative approach involving police, military, and local vigilantes, noting that such joint operations maximize resources and improve effectiveness in combating organized crime.
The arrested suspects will be arraigned in court once investigations are concluded, police authorities confirmed. Officers are also pursuing leads to apprehend other gang members who escaped during the raids.
The police have appealed to residents to continue providing timely and accurate information about suspicious activities and criminal hideouts, assuring them of confidentiality and protection for informants.
“Security is everyone’s responsibility. We urge communities to partner with us by reporting criminal activities. Together, we can make Kogi State safe for all law-abiding citizens,” the police added.
The successful operation comes amid broader efforts by Nigerian security forces to address the nationwide challenge of banditry, which has particularly affected rural areas across several states in recent years.
