The Kogi State Police Command has disclosed that on Thursday at Lokoja, a suspected criminal, Kabir Bala (alias Okwo) was killed at Ejule, Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State by a joint security team.
The Police Commissioner, Akeem Yusuf made the disclosure, during a press conference held on Thursday in Lokoja.
He said that “the notorious criminal had remained unrepentant, despite the pardon earlier granted him in the prerogative of Mercy granted of October 2018”.
He pointed out that the State Security Council meeting held on 20th June 2023 and revoked the pardon.
This led to a charge by the State Security Council to go after Kabir Bala and arrest him for prosecution, which led to his death when he allegedly opened fire on a joint patrol team of security agencies.
The said Kabir Bala the Police Commissioner disclosed remained an unrepentant criminal with lots of atrocities traced to him, stressing that the late Bala and his gang have been terrorising the people of the state.
“The said Kabir Bala, however, remained an unrepentant criminal with lots of atrocities traced to him which includes; dealing in illegal arms, Kidnappings and killings in the State.” He said.
“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 according to the commissioner are: Attack on troops of Nigerian Navy and dispossessed 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.”
The commissioner pointed out that Late Okwo also attacked 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.
“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 Police commissioner said he was also responsible for seven (7) Kidnappings along Itobe-Anyigba highway from 5th to 28th May 2023.
“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 neutralized 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,” the police boss submitted.
He, however, promised that the force would sustain ongoing onslaught against criminal activities to ensure the safety of lives and properties in the state.
