Ahead ofthe Kogi Governorship election, the security operatives killed three persons suspected to be political thugs on Tuesday morning during a gun duel with security agents.

The Kogi State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP William Aya, who confirmed this in a statement, said two of the thugs were also arrested, while seven of them sustained varying degrees of injury.

Speaking further, SP Ayah said the gun duel ensued when security agents were carrying out a search on a building where “political thugs are being housed by political parties.”

He said the search of the building became necessary based on a “series of credible intelligence on the repeated or recurring incidences of violence in Kogi East Senatorial District, which recently led to an attack ona police team and the disarming and snatching of one AK-47 rifle from one policeman early this morning, Tuesday, November 7, 2023.

He said the special operation was carried out by the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Security, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

“During the cordon and search operation, the team, even after identifying themselves, came under serious gunfire, and in response, three of the political thugs were gunned down and two AK-47 rifles recovered, while two members of the team sustained gunshot injuries and seven suspects were arrested,” he said.

As part of efforts to ensure a violent-free state during the governorship election held on November 11 in the state, Aya said raids on suspected criminal and thugs hideouts will be sustained to deny them safe havens to operate.

“The ongoing operation will be sustained until after the election, please,” he affirmed.

He stated further that two AK-47 rifles were recovered from the suspects.

Meanwhile, the Kogi Governorship Campaign Council of the All Progressive Congress (APC) said they welcome every effort to ensure a peaceful poll on November 11, 2023.

The Director General of Media and Publicity for the campaign council, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo, stated in a statement issuedon Tuesday that the election is for the electorate to determine who leads the state on January 27, 2024, and therefore shouldn’t be a reason for insecurity in the state.

“However, we express deep concerns regarding the needless raid on the residences of some of our chieftains in Kogi East. We hold out hope that they are not specifically targeted ahead of the election.

“We hereby call on security agencies to act professionally, fairly, and with the patriotic intent to maintain law and order before, during, and after the election,” the statement noted. (Nigerian Tribune)