Two men have been arrested in Kogi State for allegedly supplying food and materials to bandits in forest hideouts.
Authorities praised local vigilantes for intercepting the suspects during a routine patrol.
Security operatives in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State have arrested two men accused of providing food and other supplies to armed bandits hiding in nearby forests.
The suspects, identified as Abayo David and David Bori, both residents of Itedo-Ijowa in Isanlu, Yagba East Local Government Area, were apprehended around 4 a.m. on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, by members of the Yagba West Hunters and Vigilante Group during a routine patrol.
According to reports, the patrol team intercepted the suspects while they were allegedly transporting items believed to be intended for criminal gangs operating within the forest. Security personnel recovered several materials suspected to be used to sustain the bandits.
In a statement confirming the development, Adeyemi Babarinde Sunday, Chief Press Secretary to the Yagba West Local Government Council, said the arrests were made in line with a directive issued by the council prohibiting the sale and movement of goods to criminal elements.
Preliminary investigations revealed that some accomplices of the arrested men fled the scene but are currently being pursued by security operatives. “Just last week, a motorcycle rider who was working for a bandit group was k!lled while attempting to make a similar delivery. This incident underscores the risks of aiding criminal networks,” the statement noted.
Hon. Tosin Olokun, Executive Chairman of Yagba West LGA, cautioned residents, traders, and transport operators against assisting or trading with individuals linked to criminal activities. He warned that such actions endanger the lives of innocent citizens and threaten local peace.
Olokun also commended the hunters and vigilante group for their bravery and the ongoing efforts of security agencies in dismantling criminal camps in the area. He urged continuous vigilance, intelligence sharing, and community cooperation to strengthen security and ensure lasting peace across Yagba West.
