‎The Government of Kogi State has condemned the gruesome killing of three police officers and two vigilante officials in Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area.

‎Following the tragic incident which occurred on Wednesday when the officers were attacked at a checkpoint in Egbe, there’s been tension in the community as the government call for a full-scale investigation and the arrest of the perpetrators.

‎In a statement issued on Thursday, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said the state government was deeply concerned by the reports, and had directed security agencies to unravel the circumstances behind the killings.

‎He stated; “The Kogi State Government has received with deep concern reports of security breaches at two flashpoints in the State today, including an attack on security personnel in Yagba West Local Government Area, which tragically led to the loss of some gallant police officers, and a kidnapping incident along the Lokoja-Obajana road.”

‎He further disclosed that the 17 passengers abducted along the Lokoja-Obajana road were rescued through the swift intervention of the Nigerian Army and local hunters.

‎According to him, the efforts of the Nigerian army and local hunters are highly commendable and proof of the resilience of security operatives in the state.

‎He added, “We stand in solidarity with the people in the affected areas and extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen officers who paid the supreme price in the line of duty. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten, and their courage will continue to inspire the fight against criminality in our dear state.”

‎The commissioner stressed that governor Ododo had reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to turn the tide against crime, noting that additional personnel and security equipment had already been deployed to strategic locations to forestall further breaches.

‎“The Government of Kogi State calls on security agencies to intensify investigations to ensure that the perpetrators of these heinous crimes are arrested and brought to justice without delay.

‎“We equally urge citizens to continue to cooperate with security operatives by providing timely and useful information that will aid the fight against crime”, Fanwo said.

‎He assured residents that the administration would never submit to acts of terror.

‎“Together with the support of the people and the resilience of our security agencies, we will overcome those who seek to disrupt the peace of our land,” he concluded.