Amid sudden temporary closure of schools across the state for two week, effective February 3, 2o26 by the Kogi State government due to heightened insecurity, tension, apprehension continue to grip residents of the eastern senatorial district.
Metrobusinessnews.com (MBN) gathered From The Street (FTS) that the residents from the senatorial district of the state comprises nine local government areas have been suffering from incessant attacks from the armed herdsmen.
Specifically, the current attacks on the residents that have displaced some of the residents include, those of Ibaji Local Government Area, where Ejule Ojebe community is located, and seven people were reportedly killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen; Omala Local Government Area, Where a dusk-to-dawn curfew has been imposed due to security concerns.
The attacks have resulted in significant displacement and fear among residents, with many calling for increased security measures to prevent further violence.
infact, the Ibaji incident was fierce as the locals were said to have engaged with the intruders, allegedly resulting in several casualities that led to the intervention of the state government through tue security agencies which pleaded with the herdsmen to leave the area.
FTS gathered that the armed herdsmen subsequently migrated to the nearby Idah local government, creating tension and anxiety.
At the weekend, it was gathered that the residents of idah local government area got wind of the development as they observed night movements of cattle and the herdsmen, creating panic and apprehension.
“We were told that security agents advised the herdsmen to move out of Ibaji local government area following the clash. But what we are seeing now is that some of them have relocated to our LGA, (Idah), settled in the nearby bushes, as well as other communities such as Ogbogbo, Oforachi, extending to Odolu Igalamela local government area. We have been living in fear as some of the herdsmen allegedly attacked some farmers, who complained about the destruction of their farmlands. One man was attacked in his room yesterday, (Monday) by an armed Fulani herdsman and he later died,” says a resident in Idah town.
Another resident told MBN that most of the residents, who are aggrarian farmers have resorted to staying indoors due to the presence of the herdsmen, adding, ” that means harder times ahead for the residents.”
Worried by the prevailing tension, Idah local government area chairman, Halilu Alfa, on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, declared a 12-hour curfew from 7.oopm to 7.00am.
In a release by Kashim Hassan Iduh,
Special Adviser, Information, Communication and strategy to the Executive Chairman, dah local government, dated ,10/02/2026, said, “The Executive Chairman of Idah Local Government Area, Hon. Alhaji Halilu Alfa, has approved the imposition of a curfew from 7:00pm to 7:00am, with immediate effect and until further notice, as part of decisive measures to restore calm and prevent any breakdown of law and order within the local government.
READ ALSO:Many Passengers Stranded As Bandits Take Over Highway In Kogi
This decision followed an extensive security assessment, including a tour of communities across the nooks and crannies of Idah Local Government and wide consultations with relevant security agencies.
As part of proactive engagement, the Executive Chairman convened a security meeting with critical stakeholders, including security chiefs and community leaders. During the meeting, leaders of Miyetti Allah, including the Ardo, were directed to ensure that individuals affected by or fleeing from the Ibaji crisis, who intend to use Idah as a hideout, are immediately evacuated from the area.
In line with this directive, joint security patrols have been authorized to conduct checks across towns and hotels within the local government to ensure full compliance. Hotel owners have also been strictly warned not to harbour or accommodate any suspicious persons, as severe sanctions will be imposed on defaulters.
The Chairman emphasized that the protection of lives and property of Idah residents remains his highest priority, stressing that the local government will not tolerate any activity capable of threatening peace and stability.
Available security intelligence indicates attempts by some elements to regroup and possibly orchestrate attacks, with plans to hide within hotels and other locations. Consequently, security agencies have been placed on high alert and directed to intensify surveillance and enforcement.
Anyone found violating these directives will be apprehended and dealt with in accordance with the law.
The security meeting was attended by the Area Commander, Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Idah Command, DSS/DSO, security advisers, the Miyetti Allah leadership, the Ardo, and other relevant stakeholders.
Residents are urged to remain calm, law-abiding, and cooperative with security agencies, as these measures are taken strictly in the interest of public safety.”
Similarly, Uja’Ache group, a non political, sociocultural group last weekend raised an alarm over fresh attacks on Omala local government area.
According to a release by Ebune Ocholi, Secretary General of the group, he alluded to the fact that the worst is imminent, as Kogi communities draw closer to the 2026 planting season, adding that while the Omala Local Government Council chairman and some traditional rulers were at advanced stage of camping, fleeing killer Herdsmen in Omala Communities currently enjoying fragile peace after a long time horrors of killings of villagers that lasted upto last year, with records of deaths.
According to Ocholi, various communities in Omala Local Government Area are in chaotic mood and scared of killer Herdsmen, to go to their farms for harvests and clearing of land, preparatory for this year’s farming season.
The Secretary-General Ocholi explained that, “several communities in Omala LGA that includes Bagana, Opada, Iyade, Agojeju – Odo, Agbenema, Agabifo, Odamagwu, Obakume, and hosts of others had been under seige with attacks, killings, raping with shrivering fear of these terrorist herdsmen since 2017 till last year. During the agonizing period, Bagana town with an ancient market has been reduced to rubbles, counting not less than five hundred villagers killed in last two decades and properties worth millions of naira in flames. Iyade village bordering Bassa LGA, has long been overan and taken custody by the herdsmen.”
Commenting further, he said, “Accordingly, about twenty three persons mainly farmers were killed during the last year farming season in Agojeju – Odo in just one trance. Similarly, in Agbenema town just some nine kms from Abejukolo council headquarters, about eight persons including the town’s traditional ruler, HRH, Mall. Musa Edibo were massacred, houses, properties worth millions of naira were burnt to ashes in 2018 harvest season, as same applied to other neighbouring communities in the council area by gun wielding killer herdsmen.”
On February 3, 2026, the state government suddenly announced the closure of all schools for two weeks.
Justifying it’s action, the government claimed its action was a proactive one aimed at forestalling crisis, based on credible intelligence and the overriding need to put protective measures in place around schools to safeguard pupils, students and teachers.
State commissioner for information and communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, explained that the decision was not borne out of panic, but of responsibility, stressing that the government chose to act proactively rather than wait for avoidable incidents.
According to him, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed all relevant agencies to immediately deploy necessary modalities to ensure that schools resume academic activities as soon as it is safe, so as not to disrupt the state’s academic calendar.
But, most residents and indeed, kogites have continued to condem the lack of infrastructural development despite huge funds coming to the state from the monthly FAAC allocations, Internally generated revenue and derivation as a result of being regarded as an oil producing state.
For instance, access road to Ibaji LGA, a creation from Idah LG has been in deplorable conditions for quite some years.
More worrisome is the fact that the LGA produces the oil from which the state enjoys generous derivation from the national coffers.
Investigations by MBN ahowed that there’s only one major road in Idah township that runs from the Polytechnic to Ofukolo, while the feeder roads are not motorable.
Infact, the menace of erosion has continued to cause havoc with some residents abandoning their houses and relocating to other areas.
Same ugly sight at the State capital, where the only major road, from the town to Ganaja junction has been under construction for some years, without end.
Analysts say the removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu nearly tripled revenues accruing to states and local governments, making the Governors to have created their own fiefdom and ruling the states according to their whilms and caprices, of which Kogi is not an exception.
However, the local governments go to Lokoja, the state capital every month to collect stipends from their monthly allocations and pay salaries, and then wait till the following month, wothout any infrastructural development.
READ ALSO:Concerns As Kogi Government Orders Immediate Shutdown Of Schools Statewide
In real terms, the governor Ahmed Usman Ododo government is believed to have accessed more public resources in two years than his predecessor, Yahaya Bello, who is in court for alleged frauds and abuse of office, received in his entire first term.
Indeed, Governor Ododo, who recently marked anniversary of two years in office is said to have received estimated amount of over N300 billion from FAAC, Internally Generated Revenue, oil derivation, ecological intervention funds and other statutory sources between January 2024 and January, 2026.
Under normal circumstances and if the financial autonomy of LGs was effective, the nine LGAs from the East would have received about N100 billion, within the same period that would have engendered infrastructural development.
However, within the same period, Kogi State started the construction of an airport, recorded more political rallies and political godfather/godson meetings with stakeholders and political associates, endorsement jamborees than projects commissioning or verifiable development milestones.
Already kogites and particularly from the Eastern part have continued to express disenchantment and frustrations over worsening living conditions, while political alignments and realignments have begun, amid heightened killings and abductions.
“I challenge concerned politicians and analysts from Kogi East to publicly identify the state’s solely funded, executed or currently ongoing projects within the two year period under review with combined value of at least ₦15 billion, five percent of the conservative figure of the N300 billion income to the state” queries an analyst.
Speaking further, he said, “there is no amount of intimidation that should discourage the citizens from exercising their civic responsibilities as Political activity and rhetorics cannot replace development. Optics cannot substitute for roads. Rallies cannot replace water. Endorsements cannot replace functional schools and primary healthcare centres. The only way out is to instil confidence in the citizens at the grassroots by translating available resources into tangible infrastructure that improves people’s daily lives and living, anchored on good governance based on equity and justice.”