By Ibrahim Obansa, Lokoja
Operatives of the Joint Security Team in Kogi State have killed a notorious criminal, Kabir Bala, who murdered Mrs. Salome Abu, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) woman leader at her residence in Ochadamu, Ofu Local Council, in November, 2019.
Kogi State Commissioner of Police (CP), Akeem Yusuf, disclosed this, yesterday, while addressing newsmen, at the state Police headquarters in Lokoja,
Recall that Kogi State government, as part of rehabilitation in October, 2018, had granted pardon to one notorious gang leader, Kabir Bala alias (Okwo), in Ejule, Ofu Local Council.
However, Bala remained an unrepentant criminal with lots of atrocities traced to him, which include: dealing in illegal arms, kidnappings and killings in the state.
According to the CP, several cases had been traced to him, such as burning alive of Mrs. Salome Abu, a PDP woman Leader in Ofu Council on November, 2019 at Ochadamu, killing of two Igala youths- Umoru Abeh and Unerwu Sule- on April 20, 2022 at Ejule.
“He also killed five Fulani herders namely: Ibrahim, Haruna and Shuaibu along Alloma Road, Ofu Local Council in April, 2022, and Muhammed and Dauda in March 3, 2023.
“Other crimes committed by Bala and his gang are attack on troops of Nigerian Navy and dispossessing them of four rifles at Alloma village on March 4, 2022. The firearms were later returned to the Navy following high-powered intervention.
“Others are burning 213 huts, rustling of 122 cows on December 25, 2022, assault on the Lord’s Chosen Church, Ejule on January 29, 2023, for disturbing his hotel with their service, during which Joy Abuh, a worshipper sustained gunshot injury on her left hand,” the CP said.
The Commissioner said that he was also responsible for several kidnappings along Itobe-Anyigba highway from May 5 to May 28, 2023. Based on the above facts, the CP said decision was reached at the State Security Council meeting held on June 20, 2023, that, the state pardon granted to Bala in 2018 be revoked immediately, while security agencies must go after the criminal and arrest him immediately for prosecution.
Also, all known agents of Bala in criminal activities were to be apprehended to face the law.The Commissioner disclosed that they also took the decision that all illegal arms in the possession of criminals in that area should be recovered for peace to reign in the state.
“Today, June 22, 2023, at about 0430hrs, in pursuit of the above, Bala and his gang members on sighting the Joint Security team opened fire on them and started shooting sporadically.
“The team engaged the hoodlums, the said Bala was neutralised in the process, while other members of his gang escaped with injuries.
“Items recovered from his premises include, one AK 47 rifle with three fully loaded magazines, six locally fabricated weapons, two phones and charms,” he said. He said the ongoing onslaught against criminal activities would be sustained to ensure the safety of life and property in the state.