Kogi bans night travel, okada operations after deadly school attack
The Kogi State government has imposed sweeping security restrictions across parts of the state following the deadly attack on Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, announcing an immediate ban on commercial motorcycle operations in parts of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, the closure of affected markets, restrictions on fuel sales and a statewide prohibition on night travel after 7pm.
The measures, which took immediate effect, were announced on Saturday in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo.
The government said the directives followed ongoing security operations in Bunu District after security forces repelled what it described as a terrorist attack on Iluke community earlier this week.
According to the statement, intelligence reports indicated that joint security forces had recorded significant gains against the attackers, with several killed while others sustained injuries and remained trapped in forest locations across the district.
To cut off supply routes used by the fleeing criminals, the government imposed an immediate ban on commercial motorcycle operations across several hinterland communities in Bunu District.
The affected areas include the corridor from Idoyi Bunu through Illah Bunu, Iluke Bunu and Kiri, as well as the route linking Iluke Bunu with Odai Bunu, Igbo Bunu, Ilogun Bunu, Olle Bunu, Ayede Bunu, Oke-Ofin Bunu and Edumo Bunu. The restriction also covers the Ayede Bunu, Aherin, Eshi and Ighun Bunu corridor and other routes within the Bunu hinterlands.
The government said intelligence reports showed that motorcycles had become a major means of transporting food, water, medicine and other supplies to armed groups hiding in forests. It also alleged that some riders were being used to gather intelligence on communities before attacks were carried out.
Authorities warned that anyone violating the directive would face prosecution under the Kogi State Anti-Terrorism Law. The Motorcycle Operators Association of Nigeria was directed to immediately sensitise its members on the restrictions.
The state government also ordered the closure of all markets located along the affected corridors until further notice.
In addition, mobile medicine vendors and drug distributors were instructed to suspend the transportation and sale of medicines on motorcycles within the affected communities for the duration of the security operation.
The government further announced a ban on the sale of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) and Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) in jerrycans across Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, saying the measure was intended to prevent fuel supplies from reaching criminal groups operating in remote forest camps.
Officials maintained that the restrictions were necessary to consolidate the gains already made by security agencies and deny criminal elements access to resources capable of sustaining their operations.
Beyond Kabba/Bunu, the government imposed a statewide ban on movement along all state-owned roads after 7pm.
It directed that all movement on state roads must cease by the deadline until further notice, warning that anyone found travelling on state-owned roads after 7pm would be arrested and prosecuted.
The government also disclosed that it had credible intelligence on individuals allegedly collaborating with criminal groups and said security agencies were already taking action against those involved.
While acknowledging that the measures would cause temporary inconvenience to residents and businesses, the government said protecting lives and communities remained its overriding priority.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo directed all security agencies to ensure strict enforcement of the measures and warned that anyone found aiding, supplying, harbouring or collaborating with terrorists would be treated as an accomplice and prosecuted.
The restrictions follow Wednesday’s attack on Government Secondary School, Iluke Bunu, in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, in which three people, including a vice principal and a six-year-old boy, were killed.
The Kogi State Police Command said the attackers, who reportedly arrived on about 40 motorcycles, stormed the community around 10am in an apparent attempt to abduct students and residents.
Police said the Divisional Police Officer of Kabba ‘A’ Division immediately activated a joint security response after receiving distress calls, leading to a confrontation that prevented what authorities described as a larger-scale attack.