The Kogi State Government has confirmed an attack by suspected bandits on Ayetoro Kiri community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of the state, during which four of the assailants were neutralised by local hunters.

The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, who confirmed the incident yesterday, said Ayetoro Kiri is a rural farming community that came under attack from armed bandits.

Fanwo explained that sustained banditry in neighbouring Niger and Kwara states has continued to push criminal elements towards Kogi, adding that the state government has already put in place a coordinated security architecture to counter such threats, although the affected area requires further reinforcement.

According to him, local hunters in the community courageously resisted the attackers, engaging them in a fierce gun battle that led to the neutralisation of four bandits, while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.

He disclosed that 13 persons were kidnapped during the incident, but assured that hunters and security operatives are currently trailing the fleeing bandits in the forest, with efforts ongoing to rescue the abducted victims.

“We are quite hopeful that the kidnapped persons will be rescued,” Fanwo said.

The commissioner confirmed that troops of the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army and personnel of the Kogi State Police Command have since been deployed to the community. He added that the state would establish a strong joint security presence in the area to safeguard lives and property.

He further revealed that the Department of State Services, DSS, is providing intelligence support to the operation.

Fanwo also appealed for air support from the Nigerian Air Force to complement the ongoing ground operations.

“Governor Ahmed Ododo is engaging the service chiefs with the aim of ensuring an air raid of the forest by the Air Force to support the ground duel of the Army, Police and local hunters,” he said.

Commending the bravery and patriotism of the local hunters, the commissioner reassured residents that the government remains firmly in control of the situation.

He stressed that Governor Ododo is resolutely committed to the protection of lives and property across Kogi State, assuring residents that the state is making steady progress in the fight against criminal elements.

“Their movement has been restricted with our security network. What they are doing now is to attack soft targets like churches. We have come up with measures to tighten the security around the state. We are grateful for the cooperation of security agencies and our local hunters. We are winning the battle already,” he assured.