Olle-Bunu Community Disputes Govt Statement on Kidnap Suspects,
The Olle Development Association has issued a statement disputing claims by Kabba/Bunu Local Government authorities that two suspects involved in a recent kidnapping incident are from Olle-Bunu, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
In a statement signed by Engr. Ibishagba John, President of the Olle Development Association, and Onighaye Alfred, Secretary, the community expressed surprise and concern over the inaccurate attribution, saying it unfairly links them to criminal activities.
The statement identified the suspects as Emmanuel Aroniyo and Samuel Ibitomi, stating they are not from Olle-Bunu. The community has been a victim of banditry, kidnapping, and killings, and has cooperated with security agencies, providing intelligence and standing against criminal elements.
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The Olle Development Association is urging authorities to correct the error to prevent misinformation, stigmatization, and tension. They emphasized that security challenges require unity, accuracy, and responsibility in communication.
The community remains committed to supporting efforts to rid their land of criminal elements and restore peace.
Details of the statement below :
𝐑𝐄𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑: 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐑𝐄𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐔𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐒’ 𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐈𝐍 𝐈𝐍 𝐊𝐀𝐁𝐁𝐀/𝐁𝐔𝐍𝐔 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑
The Olle Development Association has taken note of the recent press statement issued by the Kabba/Bunu Local Government authorities concerning the recent kidnapping incident and security operations within the LGA.
In a statement titled “𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓: 𝐑𝐄: 𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎 𝐎𝐅 𝐊𝐈𝐃𝐍𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐃 𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐊𝐀𝐁𝐁𝐀/𝐁𝐔𝐍𝐔 𝐋𝐆𝐀,” signed by one *Nayo Jude Babatunde-Uyi,* Senior Special Assistant on Information, Communication & Strategy to the Executive Chairman, it was stated that “both suspects, identified as indigenes of Olle-Bunu in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, provided critical information, including the locations of kidnappers’ hideouts and camps.”
While we appreciate the efforts of the government and security agencies in addressing insecurity and working towards the safe rescue of victims, we find it necessary to correct a critical misrepresentation contained in the statement.
After due consultation, the Olle Community wishes to state clearly and unequivocally that the suspected individuals, as identified to be *EMMANUEL ARONIYO and SAMUEL IBITOMI*, are NOT from Olle-Bunu, and it is verifiable.
The Olle-Bunu community has, over time, been a victim of repeated banditry and kidnapping attacks and killings. Despite this, the community has remained cooperative and supportive of security agencies by providing credible intelligence and standing firmly against criminal elements.
It is therefore both surprising and concerning that, despite the level of access to verified information available to the Office of the Local Government Chairman, such an inaccurate attribution was made. This profiling unfairly links a victimized community to criminal activities.
We urge the relevant authorities to immediately correct this error to prevent misinformation, stigmatization, and unnecessary tension within and beyond the community.
Security challenges require unity, accuracy, and responsibility in communication. Mislabeling communities only undermines trust and distracts from the collective fight against crime.
Olle-Bunu remains committed to supporting all lawful efforts to rid our land of criminal elements and restore lasting peace.
_E-Signed:_
Engr. Ibishagba John
President, Olle Development Association
_E- signed_
Onighaye Alfred
Secretary, Olle Development Association
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, APRIL 29TH 2026)
