Kogi Police Rescue Kidnap Victim, Kill Suspect in Forest Shootout

In the early hours of Friday, armed kidnappers abducted Abubakar Kabiru from his home at Nila Forest Camp in Ayegunle Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area, Kogi State. A joint security team comprising Kogi State Police operatives, members of the Violent Crime Response Unit, special‑duty officers and local vigilantes tracked the abductors to Olle‑Bunu Forest.

During a fierce exchange of gunfire, one suspect was killed while the remaining gang fled, leaving the victim injured but alive. Police recovered the slain suspect’s body and an Italian‑made pump‑action shotgun (breach number 5882), which were taken into custody as evidence. The victim is receiving medical treatment, and the suspect’s body was placed at the General Hospital mortuary in Ayetoro Gbede. Commissioner of Police Naziru Bello Kankarofi praised the operatives and pledged continued efforts to apprehend the remaining kidnappers and dismantle the criminal network.