In a sweeping crackdown on criminal networks, the Kogi State Government has uncovered a shocking web of local collaborators—ranging from bread sellers and sachet water vendors to fuel station operators and motorcyclists—who are allegedly aiding and abetting kidnapping syndicates operating from forest hideouts across the state.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Kingsley Fanwo, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, revealed that joint security forces launched a series of coordinated operations in Kabba/Bunu, Ijumu, Yagba East, and Yagba West local government areas, following a surge in abductions and violent crimes.
The clampdown was triggered by recent high-profile incidents, including the kidnapping and subsequent death of a retired army officer from Odo-Ape, and the abduction of a prominent farmer from Ponyan in Yagba East. Fanwo confirmed that several victims, including the abducted farmer, were rescued within days as a result of intense intelligence-led interventions.
A pivotal breakthrough came with the case of the late Samson Enietan, a notorious informant linked to several kidnapping rings. While initial reports claimed he died by suicide, the state government has cast doubt on this narrative, pointing instead to a likely internal execution by criminal accomplices terrified he might divulge critical information.
Further operations led to the rescue of additional victims abducted from Kiri in Kabba/Bunu. Their confessions unearthed the involvement of Babatunde Aledare, a native of Ayetoro Kiri, who admitted to serving as a key informant within the syndicate. His interrogation has led to multiple arrests within 48 hours, exposing what officials describe as a “well-coordinated internal network” propping up kidnapping gangs in the region.
In an alarming twist, investigators discovered that some bread sellers and sachet water producers were knowingly supplying provisions to criminal camps hidden deep in the forests. These items, along with other essentials, were reportedly delivered by motorcycle operators acting as trusted couriers between urban vendors and forest-based kidnappers.
“This logistical supply chain has enabled criminals to sustain long-term operations in remote terrains, evading detection while terrorizing communities,” Fanwo disclosed.
The complicity doesn’t end there. According to the Commissioner, certain fuel stations have been selling petrol in containers, which were smuggled into the forests to power the operations of the kidnappers.
Fanwo vowed that the Kogi State Government would leave no stone unturned in dismantling this covert support system and bringing all collaborators to justice.
> “Any individual or business—regardless of status or influence—caught aiding the operations of kidnappers, whether through logistics, supply, or land access, will be treated as a direct accomplice and face the full wrath of the law,” he declared.
The revelation has sent shockwaves through communities, as ordinary-looking businesses are now being scrutinized for links to deadly criminal enterprises. Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, warning that those who betray public trust for profit will be pursued relentlessly.
As the state intensifies its fight against insecurity, the recent discoveries serve as a grim reminder that the battle is not just against the gunmen in the forests—but also against the enablers hiding in plain sight.
PIONEER NEWS 