Failed kidnap attempt turns tragic as passenger killed on Obajana-Oshokoshoko road in Kogi

A kidnapping attempt along the Obajana-Oshokoshoko road in Kogi State ended in tragedy as one passenger was killed during a gun battle between police operatives and suspected kidnappers.

The Kogi State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement released on Tuesday in Lokoja. According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Williams Ovye-Aya, the attempted abduction took place on June 23 and was foiled by officers from the Obajana Division, who were conducting intensified security patrols in the area.

The police team engaged the armed suspects in a fierce gun duel, successfully disrupting the kidnapping plot. Unfortunately, one of the passengers was fatally struck by a bullet during the exchange of gunfire.

Ovye-Aya noted that while the police intervention prevented a mass abduction, one passenger tragically lost their life during the encounter.

“The police patrol team responded promptly to sporadic gunfire and engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel, forcing them to flee.

“All passengers were successfully rescued, but six sustained injuries, and one later died while receiving treatment,” he said.

He further stated that the command, in a separate incident, arrested two suspects in Ayingba for possession of firearms and recovered several exhibits on June 21.

He said the two arrested suspects were found in possession of a locally made pistol, live cartridges, and suspected Indian hemp.

Again, he disclosed that on June 22, operatives of the Okene Division intercepted a Nissan vehicle with five passengers heading towards Auchi.

He said that during a search, one passenger escaped, leaving behind a bag containing a submachine gun (SMG) rifle, live ammunition, and other exhibits.

The spokesman listed the recovered items as “1 SMG rifle with breach number 5197, 1 magazine, 28 live rounds of 5.6 mm, 1 live G3 round, a locally made pistol, 2 live cartridges and other items.”

Ovye-Aya quoted the commissioner of police, Miller Dantawaye, as reassuring citizens of the command’s commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property in the state.

(NAN)