The Joint Security Team in Kogi State, Thursday said it has gunned down a notorious criminal Kabir Bala who was responsible for the killing of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Women Leader, Mrs Salome Abu, woman Leader, burnt to death in her residence at Ochadamu, Ofu council area of the state in the November 2019 Governorship election
The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Akeem Yusuf disclosed this on Thursday at the state Police headquarters in Lokoja, while addressing newsmen.
He said, “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 allas (Okwo) in Ejule, Ofu LGA.
“However, the said Kabir Bals remained an unrepentant criminal with lots of atrocities traced to him which includes; 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 wuman Leader in Olu LGA in her residence on November, 2019 at Ochadamu, Killing of two Igala youths; Umoru Abeh and Unerwu Sule in 20 April, 2022 at Ejule
“He also killed Five Fulani Herders namely: Ibrahim, Haruna and Shuaibu along Alloma Road, Ofu Local Government Area in April, 2022 and Muhammed and Dauda in 3 March, 2023
“Other crimes committed by Kabir Bala and his gang are attack on troops of Nigerian Navy and dispossessed them of four rifles at Alloma village on 4th 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 1 Million naira to Bala as levy for establishing a Church, invasion of Egane Fulani settlement, burning 213 huts, rustled 122 cows on 25th 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 said that he was also responsible for seven kidnappings along Itobe-Anyigba highway from 5 to 28 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 and also all known agents of Kabir Bala in criminal activities must be apprehended to face the law.”
The Commissioner also discosed that the state also took the decision to recover all illegal arms in the possession of criminals in the Eastern Senatorial area for peace to reign in 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, 22 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 neutralized in the process while other members of his gang escaped with varying degrees of injuries.”
He said items recovered from his premises include, one AK 47 Rifle with three fully loaded magazines, six locally fabricated weapons
and two Phones and Charms
He said the ongoing onslaught against criminal activities will be sustained to ensure the safety of lives and properties in the State.
