Kogi vigilante service arrests man suspected of belonging to kidnapping syndicate

The Kogi State Vigilante Service apprehended a 24-year-old man, Muhammad Babuga, on suspicion of belonging to a kidnapping syndicate operating near the Kogi and Enugu state border. Babuga was detained at Igabada, a community situated between the two states, around 7 p.m. on Thursday. According to the service's spokesperson, Idris S. Idris, the arrest was made based on credible intelligence.

During questioning, Babuga allegedly admitted to being a member of a criminal gang that had been involved in kidnapping incidents. The suspect had reportedly been previously released by the gang after a ransom payment. Comptroller-General of the Kogi State Vigilante Service, Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Anataku, praised the officers for their dedication and effective security operations.

He encouraged them to maintain their efforts in combating criminal activities and reducing crime to a minimum. Anataku also expressed gratitude to Governor Ahmed Ododo for his support, which he believed had boosted the morale of the service personnel and enhanced its operational efficiency. The comptroller-general appealed to residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible information to prevent crime and apprehend suspected criminals.

He emphasized that public cooperation was crucial in strengthening security and ensuring the safety of lives and property throughout the state. The Kogi State Vigilante Service pledged its continued commitment to collaborating with other security agencies in addressing kidnapping and other criminal activities across the state.