The Kogi State security operatives in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State on Saturday killed a kidnap kingpin in a gun duel. He was once reported to have kidnapped his own farther and collected a ransom of 4 million naira. The deceased criminal was known for his numerous ventures of kidnapping and armed robbery and has always being in the eyes of the law enforcement agency but unfortunately met his waterloo when encountered by security operatives in the area. Also, it was reported that a combined operation led by Olamaboro Local Government Chairman, Hon. Adejoh Friday Nicodemus involving both teams from the neighborhood nabbed another kidnap agent identified as Kizito Ocheme alias Igbo. The culprit kidnapped and terrorized between Olamaboro Local government and Otukpa branch of Ogbadibo Local government of Benue State but was apprehended while trying to escape the security operatives in the area. The Local Government Chairman, Hon Adejoh Friday stated that the efforts of Governor Yahaya Bello and the entire leadership of Kogi State Government to guarantee the safety of lives and properties of citizens was yielding good results as criminals now find Kogi as a no-go area. He added that following the directives of his Excellency, Governor Bello that the people deserves peace and to sleep with their eyes closed, his administration would not rest until the governor’s efforts were crowned with lasting peace in his locality. In his reaction, Governor Bello who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Muhammed expressed the opinion that the Local Government were the framework upon which the government structure was laid hence if issues of security were resolved effectively at that level, it would reflect positively on the state. He stated that the results they were recording were largely owed to the morale boost and support the governor has continued to give as well as the cooperation from the citizens and synergy between the security operatives and commended security agencies in the state for their effort in ensuring peace in the state. He reiterated that government at all levels would continue to make efforts towards sustaining the drive for a peaceful Kogi State by making every nooks and cranny of the state unsafe for criminal elements and their sponsors. (Sunday Tribune)