Following the growing insecurity across the states in the North Central, particularly with the recent killing in Kwara State, there is palpable tension in Kogi and Niger states.

Consequently, the Kogi State Government has announced the temporary closure of selected markets and motor parks in parts of Kogi West as part of intensified and coordinated security operations aimed at flushing out terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements operating within the state.

The announcement was made in a statement yesterday, by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo.

He said the measure was in support of the ongoing clearance operations being carried out in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and heads of security agencies in Kogi State.

According to the statement, the temporary closure was intended to cut off logistics, restrict the movement of consumables and deny criminal elements and their informants access to food supplies and other forms of support during the security exercise.

The directive affects selected communities across seven local government areas of the state.

In Lokoja Local Government Area, the affected locations include Oshokoshoko Market and Motor Park, as well as Jakura, Ogbagbon, Agbaja, Atsawa, Obajana, Apata, Abugi, Amomi, Ebee and Budon, where markets and motor parks will remain closed for the duration of the operation.

In Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, the temporary closure applies to markets and motor parks in Ike Bunu, Aba Marian (Isado), Ofere, Abaa Dola (Ihale Bunu), Aiyede, Oke Offin, Aiyegunle Bunu, Okebukun, Odo Ape Bunu, Agbadu Bunu and Agbede Apa Bunu.

For Yagba West Local Government Area, the affected communities include Okoloke, Isanlu Esa, Okunran, Ogbe, Ejiba, Odo Eri, Igbaruku, Iyamerin, Ogga, Omi, Odo Ara and Oke Ere, where markets and motor parks have also been shut temporarily.

In Yagba East Local Government Area, the closure covers Irunda Ile, Iyeh Ilotin, Gada, Odogbe and Ilafin, with all markets and motor parks remaining closed throughout the period of the security operations.

In Kogi Local Government Area, the temporary closure covers the Rice Market at Adingere, Koton Karfe, Okpareke, Girinya, the Okro Market at Opanda and the Perishable Market at Edeha.

In Mopamuro Local Government Area, markets and motor parks in Otafun Amuro, Oroke Amuro, Takete Ide Amuro, Okeagi, Illai, Ilemo and Ijagbe are also included in the shutdown.

In Ijumu Local Government Area, the affected markets include Ayegunle Gbedde, Iyah Gbedde, Ayetoro Gbedde, Ayeh Gbedde, Iluhagba, Odokoro and Okoro markets, which will remain closed for the duration of the security operations.

The State Government emphasised that the action was strictly temporary and would be lifted immediately after the successful conclusion of the security operations.

In a related development, community leaders in Agwara and Borgu local government areas of Niger State have appealed to the Federal Government to urgently deploy security agents to the troubled communities. The call followed the relentless bloody attacks by bandits and other terrorists groups.

The leaders specifically urged the Federal Government to urgently establish a military base in the areas to curtail the onslaught by the gunmen, saying that the current security situation in the area was not only worrisome but also scary.

Addressing a press conference at the weekend, they said the entire Borgu kingdom, comprising Borgu and Agwara local government areas was under siege from bandits and other hoodlums that have made lives miserable for the people in the last three months alone.

Speaking on behalf of the communities, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, flanked by other community leaders of Borgu emirate, noted that the plight of the affected communities was better imagined than experienced as the people now live like refuges in their own communities.

Rev. Yohanna described the security situation as dire, highlighting repeated attacks on residents, schools and police facilities, adding that many children could no longer attend school and farmers had been forced to abandoned their farms, just as markets are closed.

According to him, “The people of Agwara deserve to live without fear. Our children deserve a secured future. Our people need to farm their lands and sleep peacefully in their homes, but all these are no more,” he said.

He noted that although the criminals have been operating and terrorising the area for a long time now, the situation had really escalated in the last three months, beginning with the abduction of the students of Papiri missionary school in Agwara in November last year. He stressed that ever since then, the entire Borgu kingdom had lost its peace.

The cleric maintained that, “Our people are helpless and crying for help. We want the government to beef up security in Agwara, especially in Papiri town, where St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools serve over 50 communities.”

He suggested that there should be a military base in order to reduce the incessant attacks as the situation had defied every solution.

“We are appealing for a military base that will ensure security presence at all times. These terrorists have occupied our land, they have taken over the forests.

He warned that, “The time to act is now before we lose more lives and before our communities lose faith entirely in the government’s capacity to protect them,” Bishop Yohanna submitted.

Also speaking, another leader in the kingdom, Dr. Murtala Haliru Dantoro, who is the younger brother to the current Emir of Borgu, Alh. Mohammed Haliru Dantoro Kitoro IV, described the attacks as a humanitarian emergency that threatens lives and livelihoods across the kingdom.

He added: “Borgu Kingdom is bleeding. Families are being torn apart and livelihoods destroyed. Our farmers, once the breadbasket of the North West, could soon depend on the government’s relief if the current situation is not urgently addressed.

“We are calling on the President, the Jagaban Borgu, to approve emergency funding to enable security operatives tackle the challenges in Borgu kingdom without delay.

“The title of Jagaban carries great honour, but it also carries great responsibility. Your people, the people of Borgu Kingdom, are looking up to you. We trust that you will act with the urgency that this crisis demands,” he stated.

The Borgu prince noted further that local communities were ready to cooperate with the security agencies, including the vigilante groups and the traditional institutions, but require immediate federal support.

“Our communities are organised. Vigilantes are ready. Traditional institutions have been engaged. We will partner fully with any intervention that the government authorises,” he said.

Also, Mohammed Sani Ibrahim, leader of Muslim community, Borgu emirate, disclosed that so far, over 50 persons abducted by terrorists in Agwara and Kansuwa Dani attacks, comprising mostly of children, were still in captivity.

“For over five weeks, these victims are still not yet rescued and the attacks affected both Christians and Muslims who are mostly children; we want the government to help us rescue them,” he stated.

The leaders specifically appealed to the President, Minister of Defence, National Security Adviser, Inspector General of Police and Conservator General of National Parks, to intervene in the security crisis facing the emirate, emphasising that swift action was critical to save lives and restore peace.

They called for the declaration of Borgu and Agwara local government areas as security priority zones, immediate deployment of military units, reconstruction of Agwara Police Station and enhanced surveillance of nearby forest reserves and highways. (The Sun)