DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Police arrest suspect in Kogi community attack, recover 100 cattle

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Under investigation
  • Kogi State Police have arrested a key suspect in a recent attack on Ayegunle Community and along the Kabba-Obajana Road.
  • The attack, led by a bandit kingpin named Batijo, reportedly targeted the community's traditional ruler and involved abductions and shootings.
  • Security forces recovered 100 cattle during the operation, but several residents and passengers remain abducted, and some victims were killed.

Authorities in Kogi State have announced the arrest of a prime suspect linked to a violent raid on Ayegunle Community and a subsequent highway attack.

Following a distress call received at about 2:49 a.m. reporting sporadic gunfire in Ayegunle Community, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Kankarofi, immediately deployed tactical and operational assets to the area.

— ASP Oyiza AfusatKogi State Police Command spokesperson describing the immediate response to the attack.

The operation, which took place in the early hours of June 1, 2026, followed a distress call reporting gunfire in Ayegunle. According to police spokesperson ASP Oyiza Afusat, the attack was orchestrated by a notorious bandit leader identified as Batijo. Initial investigations suggest the raid was retaliation for the arrest of some of Batijo's associates.

Sources indicate the attackers' primary target was the traditional ruler of Ayegunle Community, Oba Sunday Omodamori, with plans to abduct him. However, the ruler was not at his residence during the invasion. The bandits subsequently ransacked parts of the community, abducting three residents. One of the abducted individuals, Chief James Obayomi, was reportedly killed while trying to escape.

Intelligence gathered so far indicates that the attack was carried out in retaliation for the arrest of some associates of the gang leader.

— ASP Oyiza AfusatKogi State Police Command spokesperson explaining the suspected motive behind the attack.

The assailants then moved to the Kabba-Obajana Road, blocking the highway and firing on vehicles. They commandeered a container truck, shooting its driver, and intercepted two commercial buses, abducting several passengers. Another commercial bus was fired upon when the driver refused to stop, resulting in one fatality and injuries to four others.

The traditional ruler of Ayegunle Community, Oba Sunday Omodamori, was the principal target of the attack, as the hoodlums had planned to abduct him.

— ASP Oyiza AfusatKogi State Police Command spokesperson detailing the primary objective of the attackers.

In total, approximately thirty people were abducted from the community and the highway. Security operatives recovered 100 cattle during the operation. A coordinated search and rescue mission is underway for the remaining abducted individuals. The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Kankarofi, mobilized tactical units, including personnel from the Nigerian Army, DSS, vigilante services, and other security stakeholders.

Sadly, Chief James Obayomi was later killed by the criminals while attempting to escape from captivity, while the other victims remain in captivity.

— ASP Oyiza AfusatKogi State Police Command spokesperson reporting on the fate of abducted residents.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog