Tobias Sylvester
Gunmen have killed six persons including two Indian expatriates, two police office, two drivers during an attack at the West Africa Ceramany in Ajaokuta local government area of Kogi State.
Gunmen Attack Ajaokuta Ceramics Plant
A resident of the area told TheCable that 14 Indian nationals were also abducted by the gunmen during the attack which happened around 9:00 pm on Friday.
The source said, “They were on their way home from work (West African Ceramics) when the gunmen attacked their Coaster bus yesterday (Friday) night.
“Their bus was ambushed by these gunmen. They were able to kidnap 14 Indians. Two police officers providing security to them were also killed.”
Reacting to the attack in a statement on Saturday, Kogi commissioner of information, Kingsley Fanwo said the government is working with the security agencies to rescue all those abducted.
The statement, “In as much as we activate dynamism in our security architecture and strategy, we recognise the fact that some cowards will sometimes try to undermine our efforts. What we have always done in such circumstances is to go after the criminals, apprehend them and bring them to justice.
‘Immediately the unfortunate report was brought to the attention of the State Government, our administration has spread our security net in working with the conventional security agencies and local vigilante groups to ensure the abducted children are rescued alive and the cowards who abducted them brought to book.
“In Kogi State, the life of everyone matters. The Governor and the Government of Kogi State understand that the number one responsibility of the Government is the protection of the lives and property of the citizens. The Kogi State Government will never shirk such responsibility.
“In as much as we would not want to divulge everything about the current operations to rescue the children unhurt which we know will be achieved very soon, we wish to assure Kogi residents that Government will remain vigilant in protecting the people. We will continue to work with security agencies to retain our enviable position as the safest state in the country today.
“We urge the people of Ajaokuta and indeed, Kogi State in general to go about their normal businesses as we have put in place stringent security measures to ensure the safety of all. Government will spare no resource to ensure our cherished children are rescued alive and unhurt.
“The Governor is personally coordinating the rescue efforts in collaboration with the security chiefs in the state as well as local vigilante groups. There is already a massive deployment to the area to achieve results.”
The spokesman of the Kogi police command, William Ovye Aya, who also confirmed the attack, said they are putting measures in place to make the state safe.
KanyiDaily also reported that gunmen shot a couple and killed four policemen during an attack at Agwa Divisional Police headquarters in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo state.
