By Philomina Brando
The Kogi State Government on Monday announced the interception of a large cache of arms and ammunition, saying the operation successfully foiled a planned retaliatory attack by criminal elements seeking to destabilise the state.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, disclosed this in a statement issued in Lokoja, noting that the operation was carried out through a coordinated effort involving local security operatives, Hybrid Forces under the Office of the National Security Adviser, and the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army.
Fanwo said, “A major security operation has led to the interception of a cache of arms and ammunition believed to have been destined for criminal elements seeking to undermine the peace and security of Kogi State.”
According to him, the breakthrough followed credible intelligence which identified a Golf 2 vehicle being used to transport the weapons.
He explained that security agencies tracked the suspects across state lines in collaboration with authorities in Sokoto State, leading to the arrest of three suspects after over two weeks of covert surveillance.
“The operation culminated in the arrest of three suspects in Sokoto State,” he said. “Preliminary investigations have yielded valuable intelligence, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate.”
Fanwo further revealed that the vehicle used in transporting the arms was later intercepted in Kabba, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Items recovered include two AK-47 rifles, several magazines, 67 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, two pistols, 12 rounds of pistol ammunition, and military uniforms.
He noted that intelligence reports indicated the weapons were meant to replenish the stock of criminal elements following recent security crackdowns, including the killing of a notorious bandit leader.
“The intercepted weapons were part of efforts by criminal elements to rearm after suffering major setbacks, particularly following the neutralisation of bandit leader Kachalla Battijo,” Fanwo stated.
The commissioner said the government had anticipated possible retaliatory attacks and intensified intelligence gathering, surveillance, and inter-agency collaboration to prevent such threats.
He added, “The successful interception demonstrates that the government remains several steps ahead of those seeking to threaten the peace of the state.”
Fanwo commended security agencies, including the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Army, for their professionalism and coordination.
He also appreciated the support of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and President Bola Tinubu for strengthening the country’s security architecture.
“The interception sends a strong message that Kogi State will never be a safe haven for terrorism, banditry, or kidnapping,” he said.
The government assured residents that there was no cause for alarm, stressing that security had been intensified across strategic locations.
Fanwo urged citizens to remain vigilant and support security agencies with credible information.
“We urge citizens to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information. Together, we shall frustrate the plans of criminals,” he added.