Police parade alleged attackers of Kogi church
The three suspects were paraded by the police in Lokoja yesterday Photo: Momoh Obansa
The police in Kogi state have nabbed three prime suspects, one of whom was a woman, in connection with Monday’s attack on Deeper Life Church in Eika Adagu area of Okehi local government area of the state in which 20 worshipers were killed.
The suspected gunmen who carried out the attack also injured 16 others and subsequently attacked the Okene central mosque where they killed two soldiers.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Alhaji Muhammed Katsina, who disclosed this while parading the suspected ring leader in Lokoja yesterday, said they were picked at Ibilo in Edo state after his men attacked the gunmen at their hideout.
The police boss said his men overpowered the gunmen, forcing them to retreat and flee with their wounded partners until some of them were apprehended at Ibilo, a border town between Kogi and Edo states.
The woman, CP Katsina said, is an accomplice who aided the transfer of the ring leader who masterminded the heinous crime under the cover of darkness to Ibilo where he was later picked up.
Katsina said: “Arrests have been made in connection with the Deeper Life Church killings and mosque attack but I cannot give their names or accurate figures. They are in our custody and we have already commenced investigation to ascertain their involvement so as to deal with the situation once and for all. More arrests would be made in due course.”
However, he warned hospitals and traditional bullet extractors to relate with the police on any suspicious persons with bullet wounds or be treated as an accomplice.
“Whoever conspired with criminals to inflict pains on the people would be dealt with by the arms of the law. The campaign to rid the state of crime and criminality holds no bound.”
The CP who also said they were able to recover the rifle used in the attack, promising that the command would ensure that the citizens pursue their legitimate ventures without fear.
According to him, the police would enforce the curfew imposed in Okene and its environs, as well as restrict commercial motorcycle operation from 6pm to 6am, saying that whoever violates the law would be decisively dealt with.
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