Olu Samuel

Nine kidnapped victims along Okene-Auchi Auchi Expressway have been successfully rescued by a joint patrol of the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi and his Edo State counterpart, CP Patrick Daaor, while conducting a joint handshake patrol at Aguda Village, along the Okene–Auchi Expressway, at the Kogi–Edo State boundary on Thursday.

A statement issued on Friday by the Kogi command spokesperson, ASP Oyiza Salisu Afusat stated that also present during the exercise was the Chairman of Okene Local Government Area, Hon. Enesi Ahmed Nuhu, alongside other security stakeholders.

“The exercise focused on the inspection of the ongoing joint clearance operations along the corridor, which have been ongoing for seven (7) days, with both Commissioners assessing operational deployments, vulnerable routes and the readiness of personnel from both Commands and other security agencies.”

She said that as part of the exercise, the Commissioners also proceeded into the black spots and hideouts within the boarder forest, between both states, to assess the deployments.

“The assessment is expected to further strengthen operational planning, intelligence sharing and coordinated response along the border corridor adding that the ongoing joint operations have already recorded a significant achievement with the successful rescue of nine (9) kidnapped victims abducted along the Mameramo–Adomu Road on 11th August 2026.

The victims were rescued through an intelligence-led operation involving the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Lugard, DSS, NSCDC, local vigilantes and other auxiliary security forces from both Kogi and Edo States adding that the the victims were safely evacuated, debriefed and reunited with their families.”

The Commissioners also engaged members of the border community, who had the opportunity to raise security concerns affecting the area. In line with the community policing initiatives of the Inspector general of police IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

“The concerns were noted, with assurances that appropriate security measures would continue to be implemented to address identified threats.

The joint engagement reaffirmed the commitment of both Commands to sustained collaboration, timely intelligence sharing and coordinated operations aimed at denying criminal elements access to safe havens, preventing criminals from exploiting the boundaries between both States, and ensuring the safety of residents, travellers and other road users along the Okene–Auchi corridor.” ASP Afusat noted.