West Kogi Elders Urge Security Agencies To Quiz Bello, Ododo Over Rising Attacks

 

Community leaders in Kogi West have demanded a comprehensive security investigation into former Governor Yahaya Bello and his successor, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, over what they describe as the “escalating and coordinated” wave of criminal attacks ravaging communities in the senatorial district.

The leaders, operating under the umbrella of Okun Leaders League (OLL), issued the call in a position paper obtained by Patriotic Insights News at the weekend. The document, jointly signed by prominent stakeholders across the six local government areas of the zone, accuses the two leaders of policies and actions that allegedly created fertile ground for banditry and illegal mining activities.

Signatories to the statement include Group Captain Denja Mahmud (rtd) (Oworo, Lokoja), Canon Andrew Baiyekuhi (Kabba-Bunu), Mallam Qassim Yusuf (Ijumu), Dr. James Ogbondeminu (Mopamuro), Engr. Omobowale Palufe (Yagba East) and Chief Samuel Obaro (Yagba West).

‘Bello’s 2018 Policy Deepened Insecurity’

The elders said insecurity in Kogi West worsened after 2018 when Bello allegedly opened large sections of the state to Fulani herders under a proposed cattle colony arrangement. While the initiative was publicly presented as a peace-building measure to reduce herder-farmer clashes, the OLL claims it was driven by political considerations aimed at aligning with then-President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to them, the move not only altered the demographic balance of parts of the zone but has since enabled the infiltration of criminal elements engaging in kidnapping, violent attacks and illegal mining.

Illegal Mining, Bandit Raids Worst In Yagba Communities

They noted that the herders allegedly brought into the state have now expanded their activities into mining fields in Yagba East and Yagba West, particularly in Omowa Mopo, Ilafin, Oke-Ilero and other mineral-rich belts where gold, kaolin and granite are exploited illegally.

Communities such as Egbe, Ogbe, Ogga, Omi, Isanlu-Esa, Okoloke and Okunran were listed among locations repeatedly hit by kidnappers and armed gangs, resulting in mass displacement of residents.

The group expressed alarm over the recent attack on Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku in neighbouring Kwara State—where three worshippers were killed and 38 abducted—warning that the violence is “creeping dangerously close to Kogi West’s borders.”

‘Central Zone Suddenly Peaceful Under Bello, Ododo’

The OLL also questioned what it called the “sudden and uncharacteristic calm” in Kogi Central—the home base of Bello and Ododo—which had historically been the most volatile part of the state due to communal clashes and youth unrest.

They cited Bello’s installation of the Sarkin Fulani and Sarkin Hausa in parts of Kogi Central as an attempt to alter traditional structures without adequate consideration for Ebira cultural sensitivities.

‘Ododo Appears Unconcerned About Kogi West Attacks’

The stakeholders praised Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for swiftly seeking federal deployment of security forces after the Eruku attack while accusing Governor Ododo of “complacency” despite the deteriorating situation in Kogi West.

They alleged that Ododo and his predecessor are more focused on securing political support for a future re-election bid than on addressing the region’s worsening security.

Call For Federal Intervention

The leaders urged the nation’s intelligence and law-enforcement agencies to probe what they describe as “possible complicity” by both Bello and Ododo in the persistent violence across Kogi West.

Efforts to obtain a response from Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, were unsuccessful, as calls and messages to him were not returned.