The Yoruba-speaking areas of Kogi West Senatorial District are currently under siege as bandits tighten their grip on rural communities, sacking villages, killing residents, and displacing hundreds across the region.
The affected areas, which span seven Local Government Areas (LGAs) — including Yagba East, Yagba West, Mopamuro, Kabba-Bunu, Ijumu, and others — have become theatres of chaos as bandits launch unrelenting attacks on villagers, security checkpoints, and farmlands. Many residents have fled their homes, while those remaining live in constant fear.
Villages Deserted, Lives Lost
Findings by Hobnob News reveal that several policemen, vigilante members, and villagers have been killed in recurring attacks. The criminals, believed to have relocated from parts of the North-West and North-Central, now occupy thick forests across Kogi West, using them as operational bases for kidnappings and ambushes.
Poor infrastructure, particularly the collapsed Ilorin–Omuaran–Kabba Highway, has worsened the situation, making rescue operations difficult and limiting access to vulnerable communities.
Growing Insecurity and Community Fear
In March, the Okun Development Association (ODA) raised alarm over the worsening insecurity. Its President-General, Akenson Rotimi, lamented that businesses were shutting down, farmers had abandoned their fields, and socio-economic life had collapsed.
“Our people no longer feel safe returning home. The impact on our economy is devastating,” Rotimi said, urging government intervention and stronger community security networks.
Violent incidents date back several years but have worsened dramatically in 2025. Among them:
January: An undertaker, Segun Adekoya, was killed when bandits attacked a funeral convoy on the Egbe–Ogbe–Ponyan Road.
May: Armed men abducted Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, the traditional ruler of Okoloke, Yagba West, and killed three vigilantes.
June: Security forces arrested 26 suspects, including locals accused of supplying bandits with food and water.
September: A midnight attack in Bareke community left 27 people dead, with houses set ablaze and residents abducted.
Residents say attacks are so frequent that many have fled to Ilorin and other safer towns.
“We Sleep with One Eye Open” — Locals Cry Out
A resident of Odo-Ere, Mose Folorunsho, told Hobnob News:
“We are in trouble here. Even riding a bike is risky. The roads are bad, and security presence is almost zero. We feel abandoned.”
Illegal Mining and Local Collusion Blamed
Investigations also reveal that illegal and unregulated mining in mineral-rich forests across Yagba, Kabba-Bunu, and Ijumu has become a major driver of violence. Criminal groups reportedly use mining profits to fund their operations, aided by some local collaborators who provide logistics.
Governor Ododo’s Response: “We Will Reclaim Our Land”
During his visit to Yagba West after the massacre in Bareke, Governor Usman Ododo condemned the killings, linking the insecurity to criminal mining networks.
He announced an immediate suspension of all mining activities in Kogi West, pending a full audit of licenses, vowing to cut off the financial lifelines of armed groups.
“We will dismantle these criminal networks and ensure that no forest in Kogi serves as a refuge for terrorists,” Ododo said.
The governor also directed the Commissioner for Solid Minerals and security agencies to seal all illegal sites, warning that violators would face prosecution and equipment confiscation.
Afenifere, Leaders Demand Federal Action
Despite increased security operations, including Operation Accord III, attacks have persisted across Yagba, Kabba-Bunu, and Ijumu. Prominent leaders such as Afenifere, the Yoruba World Congress, Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and Senator Sunday Karimi have called on the federal government to urgently intervene before the region descends into total anarchy.
As tension continues to rise, residents of Kogi West say what they need most is not promises, but visible security presence, motorable roads, and decisive action to reclaim their communities from bandits who have turned their homeland into a war zone.
