Insecurity: Community protests in Kogi

As a result of worsening insecurity in Kogi West, some indigenes and residents of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area on Friday staged a protest.

The protest came a few days after the President of the Bunu Development Association (BDA), Pastor Kolawole Johnson Folorunsho, disclosed that over 70 people kidnapped from the area by armed bandits were still in captivity several months later.

The protesters, who turned out in large numbers, lamented that many of their people were being held hostage by bandits operating in the area.

While calling on the government to immediately address the spate of insecurity, they emphasised that many communities had been deserted due to fear of attacks by armed bandits.

The protesters stressed the urgent need for government intervention before the situation gets out of hand.

There were reports that police officers in Kabba allegedly teargassed the protesters to disperse them.

Efforts to speak with the Kogi State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), William Aya, proved abortive at the time of filing this report, as he neither picked his calls nor responded to text messages sent to his phone.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area in Kogi State, Hon. (Barr.) Zacchaeus Dare Michael, has called on residents to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding following the protest against insecurity.

In a statement personally signed by the chairman, he assured the people of Kabba/Bunu that the local government authorities, in collaboration with the Kogi State Government and relevant security agencies, remain fully committed to restoring lasting peace and security to every nook and cranny of the local government area.

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The chairman noted that the people have a voice that should and must be heard, especially at a time when lives, peace, and livelihoods are under threat. He added that the government shares in their pain and is doing everything possible to secure a lasting solution to the insecurity.

He described the situation as deeply regrettable, noting that it was unfortunate residents have had to endure such a challenging phase, particularly as criminal activities and banditry have taken a heavy toll on some rural communities.

According to him, significant measures have already been put in place to strengthen security in the area. He emphasised that both the state and local governments have done, and continue to do, a great deal to ensure that the fight against banditry and all forms of insecurity is decisively won.