Kogi Vigilance Groups Save 134 Kidnapping Victims

The victims were saved during recent Kogi Vigilance Service operations in the state's and some areas of Nasarawa State's forests.

In a statement made available to journalists in Lokoja yesterday and signed by Mr. Onogwu Muhammad, chief press secretary to the governor of Kogi State.

The watchdog squad allegedly attacked kidnappers' hideouts in the Odullo Forest in Kogi and Sardauna in Nasarawa State and freed hostages who had been kidnapped from Abaji, Kuje, and Kwali in the Federal Capital Territory as well as the Toto Council Area of Nasarawa State.

The victims were welcomed by Mr. Dauda Aliyu, Chairman of the Kogi/Koton Karfe Local Government Area, who praised the vigilantes for their bravery.

Aliyu recognized the state's government's backing of its security personnel.

Additionally, he saw to it that the victims were properly reunited with their families in each LGA.

At the Odullo Forest in Kogi LGA, some 92 Kogi Vigilance Service agents took part in the operation from which they moved on to Sardauna in Nasarawa State.

The council head praised the governor for supporting the vigilantes, saying that their assistance had continued to be crucial in the state's fight against insecurity.

Comdr. Jerry Omodara (rtd), the state security adviser for Kogi, praised the vigilantes and other security groups in the state for their work against crime both inside and outside the state.

By saying that the Bello administration would continue to make Kogi State inhospitable for criminals, he reaffirmed the governor's commitment to making Kogi the safest state in Nigeria.