Armed bandits have attacked Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State, killing three persons, including a vice principal and a six-year-old child.

The attack occurred at about 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday and sparked panic among residents while raising fresh concerns over insecurity in the area.

Confirming the incident, the Kogi State Police Command said a large group of armed bandits riding on about 40 motorcycles stormed the community and invaded the school with the suspected intention of abducting students and residents.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Afusat, the command said the Divisional Police Officer of Kabba ‘A’ Division immediately mobilised a joint security response after receiving distress calls from the community.

According to the statement, personnel from the police division, the Police Mobile Force, tactical teams, military personnel and local vigilantes participated in the operation.

The police said security operatives engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to retreat into nearby bushes.

“The combined security operatives engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel, forcing the criminals to flee into the surrounding bush,” the statement said.

The command noted that preliminary investigations had not established any successful mass abduction of students or residents, adding that ongoing assessments were being conducted to determine the full circumstances surrounding the attack.

Police, however, confirmed that three persons lost their lives during the incident.

The victims were identified as Mr. Ganiyu Anifowose, Vice Principal of UBE Secondary/Primary School, Iluke; Mr. Sunday Jacob Alhassan, aged 70; and six-year-old Sunday Ayele.

The command further disclosed that one of the attackers was neutralised during the exchange of gunfire, while a member of the joint security team sustained gunshot injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment.

Following the attack, the Commissioner of Police ordered sustained bush-combing operations and intensified confidence-building patrols across the affected communities.

The police said joint security operatives have continued intensive operations aimed at apprehending fleeing suspects and preventing further attacks in the area.

Residents were urged to remain calm and support security agencies with credible information that could aid ongoing investigations and security operations.

The command assured the public that further updates would be provided as investigations progress.

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Panic swept through Ayegunle Bunu community in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State after suspected bandits attacked the area, killing one person and abducting more than 30 others.

The attack reportedly occurred at about 2:25 a.m., leaving residents in fear and raising fresh concerns over insecurity along major road corridors in the state.

One Killed, Several Abducted

According to preliminary reports, one person lost his life during the attack, while another sustained injuries and is receiving medical attention.

Sources within the community disclosed that two residents of Ayegunle Bunu, a man and a woman, were among those abducted by the attackers.

The majority of the victims were reportedly passengers travelling in a commercial bus that was intercepted by the gunmen while passing through the area.

Witnesses said the attackers forcefully whisked the passengers away into the bush before fleeing the scene.

Police Confirm Attack

The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Kankarofi, confirmed the incident while addressing journalists on the sidelines of the Passing-Out Parade of 565 newly trained police constables at the Command Headquarters in Lokoja.

Kankarofi said investigations into the attack were ongoing and assured residents that security operatives had launched efforts to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible.

Rescue Efforts Underway

The police commissioner stated that security personnel have intensified operations in the area as part of efforts to secure the release of the abducted victims.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to combating criminal activities across the state and restoring confidence among residents and road users.

Growing Security Concerns

The latest attack has renewed concerns over the rising incidents of kidnapping and banditry affecting communities and travellers across parts of Kogi State.

Residents have called on security agencies to strengthen surveillance and increase patrols along vulnerable routes to prevent further attacks.

The incident also highlights the growing threat posed by armed groups targeting rural communities and commercial transport corridors in the North-Central region.

Authorities have assured the public that every effort is being made to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.

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The official unveiling took place at the Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja, where Sanwo-Olu was joined by several high-profile guests, including governors from five states and leaders from both the public and private sectors. Among those in attendance were Governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Usman Ododo (Kogi), Umaru Bago (Niger), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), and the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Olajide Owolabi. Ekiti State was represented by a delegate.

Speaking at the event, Sanwo-Olu emphasized that Lagos consumes more than half of the food traded across the Southwest, placing immense pressure on supply chains. He said the state’s food economy, valued at over N6 trillion, suffers a 50% loss in produce due to inadequate storage and inefficient transport logistics.

“It became clear that we must organise our food systems to feed our people well,” the governor stated. “With the ‘Produce for Lagos’ programme, we are directly addressing these gaps by enhancing logistics and connecting our dynamic food economy with producers across the country.”

The governor also introduced 150 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered 40-foot trucks under the Lagos Food Systems Infrastructure Company. These trucks, he said, are designed to transport food efficiently across the country and return without refueling—marking a major shift in agricultural logistics.

“This initiative is not just about today’s needs. It’s about building an ecosystem that meets future demands,” Sanwo-Olu added. “We are combining policy with infrastructure and financial models that will endure, ensuring food availability for future generations.”

The project is supported by various special purpose vehicles including the Lagos Bulk Trading Company and private logistics provider Ekolog.

Tony Elumelu, Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), pledged N25 billion in support of the initiative, stating, “The programme will help address unemployment, and UBA is fully committed to being a part of this transformational journey.”

Niger State Governor Umaru Bago also pledged his state’s support by offering 500,000 hectares of farmland exclusively for food production for Lagos.

“When I saw ‘Produce for Lagos,’ I said, no—I am farming for Lagos,” Bago remarked. “This is our way of creating value through partnership.”

The initiative also drew praise from the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, who called the project “one of the most visionary food interventions” in recent times.

“This gives farmers value for their produce while ensuring the city builds a resilient food system. This is how we build the Lagos—and Nigeria—of the future,” Tijani noted.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, echoed similar sentiments, commending the Lagos State Government for recognizing the link between food security and national stability. In a statement released through Defence Headquarters, he applauded the collaboration with private and state-level partners, calling it “a timely and strategic intervention.”

The initiative, aligns with the Lagos State Agriculture and Food Systems Roadmap of 2021 and signals a new era of collaborative governance in addressing Nigeria’s food challenges.

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The engagement, held Tuesday, is part of a broader initiative to strengthen disaster management across Nigeria, with Kogi among seven pilot states selected for the EP\&R program—alongside Delta, Anambra, Jigawa, Kebbi, Ondo, and Gombe.

Representing the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, the Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Dr. Bandele Onimode, emphasized the importance of proactive disaster risk reduction. He stated that the program is designed to build resilience in communities most vulnerable to natural and man-made emergencies.

Dr. Onimode highlighted that the initiative aims to reduce disaster-related risks and strengthen institutional capacity at both the state and local government levels.

Mr. Francis Nkoka, Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist at the World Bank, commended the collaboration, calling it a vital step toward building safer communities through strategic partnerships and data-driven disaster response planning.

Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Hillary Ojoma, expressed gratitude to both NEMA and the World Bank. He noted that the engagement would enhance the state’s ability to manage and mitigate the impact of emergencies, especially in flood-prone areas.

Also in attendance were key players from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigerian Red Cross Society, Ministries of Health, Environment, Humanitarian Affairs, Agriculture, and Information, as well as HYPREP, Federal and State Fire Services, FERMA, DSS, NSCDC, KONGONET, and local emergency desk officers.

The event marks a significant step forward in federal-state collaboration to improve Nigeria’s overall disaster preparedness framework.

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Speaking after a meeting with the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja on Friday, Governor Ododo said recent intelligence and field operations indicated that several criminal elements, previously operating in conflict zones, have begun to infiltrate communities in the North Central as a result of sustained military campaigns in their former strongholds.

“These individuals fleeing military operations are not coming with any positive intentions,” the governor stated. “They are criminals, and their presence in forested areas across the region has posed a growing threat.”

Ododo noted that while Kogi State has faced attempted incursions by such groups, the state’s security architecture has been proactive in pushing back against these threats. “We do not publicize our strategies, but I can assure you, we are responding with precision. Many of those who attempted to disturb our communities did not survive their own aggression,” he said.

The governor emphasized that Kogi remains committed to ensuring the safety and stability of its residents. “We understand the weight of our responsibility to protect lives and livelihoods. Our response has been firm and coordinated, and we will not relent.”

His comments come amid broader national concerns following recent violent incidents in Benue and other parts of the North Central zone. President Bola Tinubu had earlier visited affected communities in Benue to express solidarity with victims and reassure them of ongoing federal efforts to improve security.

Governor Ododo’s remarks underscore the spillover effects of military operations in other regions and highlight the need for coordinated, nationwide responses to evolving security dynamics.

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Speaking in Lokoja on Saturday, the Project Manager of Mufkad Estate, Engr. Suberu Onimisi Nusa, confirmed that discussions are underway with the state’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, following directives from Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.

According to Nusa, the initiative is designed to address the growing housing challenges in the state, particularly in the capital, Lokoja, where rent costs have been steadily rising.

“This partnership is aimed at fast-tracking the delivery of housing units tailored to the needs of civil servants,” he said. “We are working closely with the state government and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria to implement a rent-to-own model that allows civil servants to pay for their homes over time.”

The housing scheme will offer flexible repayment options spanning 15 to 20 years, with low-interest financing supported by the Federal Mortgage Bank. Nusa emphasized that the project aligns with Governor Ododo’s broader housing development agenda, which seeks to provide decent, secure, and accessible accommodation for public sector workers.

He added that the collaboration represents a proactive response to the economic pressures faced by workers, and a practical step toward improving their quality of life through homeownership.

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The flag-off ceremony, held Tuesday in Idah Local Government Area, marked the beginning of a 7.2-kilometre road development initiative expected to significantly improve access and connectivity in the area.

Speaking at the event, Governor Ododo expressed appreciation to the residents of Kogi East for their continued support, pledging to deliver on the promises made during his campaign. He also acknowledged the foundational efforts of his predecessor, former Governor Yahaya Bello, noting that the state’s current progress builds on previous groundwork.

“We are taking another bold step to improve infrastructure and uplift the lives of our people,” the governor said, adding that the project would serve both economic and social purposes by stimulating local trade and improving ease of movement.

Governor Ododo also extended gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, crediting the federal government’s support for enabling various state-level development initiatives.

The internal roads covered under this project include several key routes: Igalaogba–Angwa–Inachalo Junction, Sabongari–St. Boniface–Ega Market Junction, St. Michael–Ukwaja–St. Peter’s Road, and Ukwaja Junction–Attah–Idah Club Road.

During a media interaction following the event, the Managing Director of the Kogi State Road Maintenance Agency (KOGROMA), Engr. Yunusa Alhassan, commended the governor’s leadership and commitment to infrastructure development. He assured residents that the project would be executed to high standards and within the scheduled timeframe.

This development forms part of the broader agenda to modernize infrastructure across Kogi State and enhance the living standards of its citizens.

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It is a strategic investment in better infrastructure, improved public services, and a prosperous future for all Kogi residents.

Speaking at the unveiling of the Land Use Charge Law, 2024, at the KGIRS Board Room, Enehe described the initiative as a crucial step toward strengthening the state’s revenue base for sustainable development.

He noted that ongoing tax reforms aim to simplify revenue collection, enhance transparency, and ensure that every stakeholder contributes fairly to the state’s growth.

According to him, the Land Use Charge will generate funds for local government projects, improve data-driven decision-making, and foster smart city development. It will also create employment opportunities. He urged property owners and residents to support the initiative, stressing that a well-structured revenue system is the foundation of good governance.

By complying with the charge, citizens will directly contribute to the government’s ability to deliver impactful projects that benefit businesses, communities, and future generations.

Enehe reassured stakeholders of the government’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and efficiency in revenue administration. With the launch of the Land Use Charge Demand Notice, the state is reinforcing its dedication to responsible financial management and long-term development.

He called on residents to exercise patience and cooperate as the implementation unfolds. The government will provide practical demonstrations of how property assessments will be conducted. He expressed confidence that through collective effort and compliance, Kogi State can unlock its economic potential and build a brighter future for all its citizens.

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Alhaji Sule Enehe, Chairman of Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGSIRS), announced the development during a stakeholders’ engagement in Lokoja.

He stated that enumerators have been deployed across the 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) to facilitate effective implementation of the law.

The introduction of ground rent is part of tax reforms aimed at enhancing revenue collection, transparency, and fair contributions from stakeholders.

“This law improves revenue collection, promotes transparency, and ensures all stakeholders contribute their fair share to Kogi’s development,” Enehe said.

Previously, KGSIRS collected tenement rates for local governments, but ground rent enforcement had not yet been implemented in the state.

Initiated last year, the Land Use Charge Law is expected to boost Kogi State’s internally generated revenue through effective tax policies.

Enehe urged local government chairmen to support house enumeration teams, ensuring seamless execution and compliance with the newly introduced tax policy.

Mr. Femi Williams, CEO of New Wave Echo System, noted that other states have successfully implemented similar policies for years.

Exemptions under the Land Use Charge Law include government-owned properties, places of worship, schools, healthcare facilities, and traditional rulers’ residences.

Additionally, properties below a legally defined size threshold will also be exempt from paying the newly introduced ground rent tax.

Olamaboro LGA Chairman, Mr. Cosmos Atabo, and Lokoja LGA Chairman, Mr. Abdullahi Adamu, assured full grassroots-level implementation.

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Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has been released from Kuje Custodial Centre after meeting the bail conditions set by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.

This was confirmed by the spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, FCT Command, Adamu Duza.

Duza said, “Yahaya Bello has been released after meeting the bail conditions. He was released this evening (Friday).”

“The Controller of NCoS FCT, Ajibogun Olatubosun, was on the ground to ensure his smooth release and that all protocols were observed.”

The conditions included providing three sureties, each owning property in select high-value areas of Abuja, such as Maitama, Guzape, or Asokoro.

The court also ordered Bello to surrender his passport and restricted his travel outside Nigeria without prior permission.
The former governor, along with Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, faces a 16-count charge of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and unlawful possession of property, brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

All three have pleaded not guilty.

Justice Anenih had rejected Bello’s initial bail application on procedural grounds but granted bail to his co-defendants.

Bello’s fresh application was approved on Thursday, leading to his release.

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