From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Operatives attached to Obajana Division, while on a confidence building patrol along Obajana–Oshokoshoko road, foiled an attempted abduction of passengers who were attacked by armed hoodlums.
According a statement made available to Journalists in Lokoja on Tuesday, by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kogi State Police Command, SP William Aya, the hoodlums had ambushed: One J5 vehicle with registration number LSD 572 XJ driven by Suleiman Sani with his motor boy, en route from Zaria to Ekiti, one Toyota Hiace bus with registration number KPA 93 LG, driven by Adeleke Ifelaja, traveling from Abuja to Lagos with ten (10) passengers, one Toyota Hiace bus with registration number GWA 663 XD, driven by Dare Oloyede, also traveling from Abuja to Lagos with thirteen (13) passengers
“The patrol team responded promptly to the sporadic gunfire heard in the area and engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel. Upon sighting the police, the hoodlums opened fire but were repelled, which forced them to abandon their victims and fled.
“All the passengers were successfully rescued. Unfortunately, six (6) victims sustained injuries, and one (1) died while receiving treatment.
“Also the operatives of the State Police Command attached to Okene Division, while on routine stop-and-search duty, intercepted a Nissan vehicle (Ash colour) with registration number LGT 893 AA, Plateau, heading towards the Auchi axis with five passengers.
“During the search, all passengers were asked to alight from the vehicle. However, one of the passengers took to his heels and was given a hot chase but unfortunately escaped through a nearby thick forest. A search of the fleeing suspect’s bag led to the recovery of the following items:
“One (1) SMG Rifle with breach number 5197, One (1) magazine, Twenty-eight (28) live ammunition of 5.6mm, One (1) live G3 ammunition, One (1) black T-shirt, Three (3) phone chargers, One (1) Oraimo power bank, Charms, and One (1) pair of sandals.
Efforts are being intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspect.
“Similarly operatives attached to Ayingba Division arrested two suspects, Umaru Jibril and Lukman Umaru for being in possession of a locally made pistol, two (2) live cartridges, and weeds suspected to be Indian hemp. The suspects will be arraigned in court upon completion of the investigation.
In another development, the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), in collaboration with the Late Police Officers Wives Association (LAPOWA), Kogi State Chapter, hosted its maiden edition of the International Widows’ Day Celebration with the theme “From Grief to Strength.”
“The historic event, held at the POWA Secretariat in Lokoja, was graced by the warm representation of POWA Chairperson, Dr. (Mrs.) Bessie Dantawaye, ably represented by Mrs. Sherifat Lola Placid, a member of the POWA Board Management Team.
In her heartfelt address, she extolled the resilience and fortitude of widows, commending their patience and survival instincts in the face of life’s toughest trials.
She urged them to foster harmonious relationships with their late husbands’ families and embrace skill acquisition as a means of financial stability, reminding them that “no one knows when the evil day may come.”
The guest speaker, Mrs Christiana A. Omowumi, who is the CEO of H&C Company and a widow, gave a stirring testimony of her journey from despair to triumph. She encouraged the women, saying, “As a widow, you are not weak but strong, not rejected but accepted, not dead but alive.” Her words lit up the hall with renewed hope and purpose, inspiring the widows to press forward with prayers, diligence, and confidence.
“To further support the widows, the guest speaker generously pledged a cash donation of ₦1,050,000 to twenty-one (21) Widows, a gesture met with joy and deep appreciation.
“In response, Mrs. Hasina Michael, LAPOWA State Coordinator and one of the beneficiaries, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the organizers and gues
