The Joint Security Team has killed an alleged notorious political thug, Kabir Bala alias Okwo in Ejule, Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Kabir, who recently decamped from one political party to another, was allegedly behind the brutal murder of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) woman leader, Mrs. Salome Achegu Abuh in Ofu LGA.
Abuh was burnt alive in her home at Ochadamu by suspected political thugs on November 18, 2019, shortly after the announcement of the result of the Governorship election held in the state.
The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Akeem Yusuf, made the disclosure on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at a joint press conference held at the Command headquarters in Lokoja.
According to the Commissioner, the suspect was killed by the police on Thursday morning when he and his gang members, on sighting the joint security team, opened fire on them and started shooting sporadically.
The CP disclosed that the said Kabir Bala was in October, 2018 granted pardon in prerogative of mercy as part of rehabilitation by the Kogi State Government but had remained unrepentant with lots of atrocities traced to him including dealing in illegal arms, kidnappings and killings in the state.
The Commissioner pointed out that the State Security Council meeting held on 20th June, 2023 revoked the pardon.
Security agencies were subsequently directed to arrest him immediately for prosecution but he and his gang opened fire on them.
“Several cases had been traced to him, such as the burning alive of Mrs Salome Abuh, PDP woman leader in Ofu LGA, at her residence on November 18, 2019, in Ochadamu,” the CP stated.
“The killing of two Igala youths, Umoru Areh and Unekwu Sule, on April 20, 2022, at Ejule
“Killing of five Fulani herders namely; Ibrahim, Haruna and Shuaibu along Alloma Road, Ofu LGA in April, 2022 and Muhammed and Dauda at Imoko in Ofu LGA on 3 March, 2023
“Other crimes committed by Kabir Bala and his gang include the attack on troops of the Nigerian Navy and dispossessing them of four (4) rifles at Alloma village on 4″ March, 2022. Though the firearms were later returned to the Navy following high-powered intervention.
“Attack on Elisha Aya, Pastor and founder of Kingdom Faith Assembly Ejule on 18” March, 2022 who later paid one million naira to Bala as levy for establishing a church.
“Invasion of Egane Fulani settlement, burning 213 huts, rustled 122 cows on December, 2022
“Assault on the Lord’s Chosen Church, Ejule on 29, January 2023 for disturbing his hotel with their service, during which Joy Abuh, a worshipper sustained gunshot injury on her left hand
The Commissioner also alleged that he was also responsible for seven kidnappings along Itobe-Anyigba highway from 5th to 28 May 2023.
Divulging the other resolutions from the Security Meeting, CP Yusuf said: “All known agents of Kabir Bala in criminal activities must be apprehended to face the law. All illegal arms in the possession of criminals in that area should be recovered for the peace of the state. Joint operations should be set up comprising the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police, DSS and Civil Defence to go after Kabir Bala and his gang to arrest them and recover the arms in their possession.”
He reiterated that the ongoing onslaught against criminal activities will be sustained to ensure the safety of lives and properties in the state.
Items recovered from the deceased include one AK 47 Rifle with three fully loaded magazines, six locally fabricated weapons, two mobile phones, and charms.
