The Security Adviser to the Kogi State Governor, retired Commodore Jerry Omodara, has said that security operatives are on the trail of abductors of all passengers and the driver in a bus belonging to ABC Transport.
The 18 passengers and driver were kidnapped on Sunday, with Omodara speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Lokoja.
NAN recalls that the bus, heading to Abuja on March 16 from the South East, was reportedly hijacked by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers at Oloma in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State, a border town between the state and Enugu State.
Reliable sources told NAN that all the passengers of the bus, including the driver, were abducted by the gunmen.
However, Omodara, who confirmed the incident, said a combined team of security operatives had launched a manhunt for the abductors.
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He said the operatives in Kogi State, including the Military, Police, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and vigilante groups, were in strong synergy to ensure the rescue of the victims.
“Just on Wednesday, all the security heads met twice to see that we get the kidnappers and rescue the victims.
“t is this kind of synergy and cooperation from residents, who provide us with useful information, that help us to succeed.”
Omodara said that Kogi State has recorded a drastic drop in kidnapping incidents and crimes due to the synergy and cooperation from residents.
The state security adviser said though they might not be able to completely eradicate crime in the state, they were making efforts to tackle anyone that reared its ugly head.
He assured families of the abducted passengers that they would be released unhurt.
“We want Kogi to be a safe haven for all residents and passers-by alike,” he said.
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