Security agencies in Kogi State have been placed on high alert following intelligence reports of a large-scale movement of armed bandits into the state’s eastern region. The alert, issued via an internal police communication on Saturday, was based on information from the State Intelligence Department (SID) in Lokoja, indicating that bandits fleeing ongoing military operations in Kwara and Niger States have entered forested areas around Bassa and Anyigba/Ochaja.
The intelligence report warned that the intruders, some allegedly dressed in military-style uniforms, are heavily armed with AK-47 rifles and other sophisticated weaponry. Several potential targets have been identified for possible coordinated attacks, including Ochaja Boys and Girls Secondary Schools, Prince Abubakar Audu University in Anyigba, banks, police stations, and places of worship.
To address the threat, the police recommended immediate and coordinated security measures. These include briefing all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Anyigba, Bassa, Dekina, and Egume, deploying additional personnel from the Quick Response Unit (QRU) and Police Mobile Force (PMF) to high-risk areas, intensifying stop-and-search operations along major highways, and reinforcing police stations in vulnerable communities. Continuous surveillance and intelligence gathering were also emphasized to preempt potential attacks.
The alert follows a high-level security briefing between President Bola Tinubu and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Tosin Adeola Ajayi, aimed at reviewing the nation’s security situation. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, affirmed that while the government acknowledges the scale of ongoing attacks, significant steps are being taken to strengthen security and protect citizens in Kogi State and other affected regions.
This heightened vigilance underscores the government’s commitment to preventing the escalation of banditry and ensuring the safety of residents in Kogi East.
