One Kabir Bala, described by the police as a notorious gang leader in Kogi State and said to be behind some series of killings in the state has been neutralized by a joint security team.
Bala, also known as Okwo in Ejule, Ofu local government area of Kogi State was neutralised today at about 4.30 p.m.
The announcement of the development was made at a press conference on Thursday at the police command in Lokoja by the Commissioner of Police, Akeem A. Yusuf.
His words: “Today, 22nd June 2023, at about 0430hrs …Kabir 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 Kabir Bala was neutralized in the process while other members of his gang escaped with varying degrees of injuries.
At the press conference the police boss said Bala, after the pardon granted him in 2018 by the state government had been responsible for some major crimes in the state.
Some of the crimes, he said, included the burning alive of Mrs Salome Abu, a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, woman leader in Ofu local government in her residence on 18th November, 2019 at Ochadamu, and killing of Igala youths Umoru Areh and Unekwu Sule on 20th April, 2022 at Ejule.
The statement by the commissioner of police reads:
“Consequent upon the decision reached at the state security meeting on the upsurge of criminal activities in the state, it would be recalled that the Kogi State Government in October 2018 granted pardon in prerogative of mercy as part of rehabilitation to one notorious gang leader named KABIR BALA alias (OKWO) in Ejule, Ofu LGA.
“However, the said Kabir Bala remained an unrepentant criminal with lots of atrocities traced to him which include dealing in illegal arms, kidnappings and killings in the state. Several cases had been traced to him such as:
- Burning alive of Mrs Salome Abu, a PDP woman Leader in Ofu LGA in her residence on 18th November, 2019 at Ochadamu.
- Killing of two (2) Igala youths; UMORU AREH and UNEKWU SULE on 20th April, 2022 at Ejule.
- Killing of Five (5) 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 3rd March, 2023.
“Other crimes committed by Kabir Bala and his gang are:
- Attack on troops of 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 N1 million to Bala as levy for establishing a Church.
iii. Invasion of Egane Fulani settlement, burning 213, huts, rustling of 122 cows on 25 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.
- He was also responsible for seven (7) kidnapping along Itobe-Anyigba highway from 5th to 28th May 2023.
“Based on the above facts, the decision reached at the State Security Council meeting held on 20th June 2023, is that:
- The state pardon granted to Kabir Bala in 2018 be revoked immediately.
- Security agencies must go after Kabir Bala and arrest him immediately for prosecution.
- 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 peace of the state.
- Joint Operations should be set up comprising the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police, DSS, Civil Defence to go after Kabir Bala and his gang to arrest them and recover the arms in their possession
“Today, 22nd June 2023, at about 0430hrs in pursuit of the above, the Kabir 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 Kabir Bala was neutralised in the process while other members of his gang escaped with varying degrees of injuries.
“Items recovered from his premises include:
- One (1) AK 47 Rifle with three(3) fully loaded magazines
- Six (6) locally fabricated weapons
- Two (2) phones and charms
“Finally, I wish to reiterate that, the ongoing onslaught against criminal activities will be sustained to ensure the safety of lives and properties in the state.”
