Obi condemns Kogi, Kwara killings as army denies reports of bandits overrunning troops
The wave of insecurity in parts of the North Central region has once again sparked outrage following reports of deadly attacks in Kogi and alleged bandit control of several communities in neighbouring Kwara State.
In a statement on Sunday, Peter Obi, 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, expressed deep concern over what he described as the “tragic and senseless” killings in Kogi State’s Yagba West Local Government Area, where more than 27 people were reportedly killed by armed bandits.
“I am deeply disturbed by the tragic reports of yet another senseless attack in Kogi State’s Yagba West Local Government Area, where over 27 innocent Nigerians were killed by armed bandits,” Obi said.
“The images are heartbreaking. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the entire people of Kogi State.”
Obi also cited reports indicating that nine of Kwara State’s 16 local government areas were under the siege of bandits who now “demand food and drinks as ransom.”
The affected local governments, according to the reports he referenced, include Baruten, Edu, Ekiti, Ifelodun, Isin, Kaiama, Oke-Ero, Patigi, and Irepodun.
“The security situation is now a national emergency,” Obi warned. “It is deeply troubling that insecurity has become a normal occurrence in our nation, where our citizens die daily more than in countries at war. This is not normal. Our citizens cannot sleep in their own homes in peace, our farmers are being driven away from their lands by bandits, our children are living in fear of being attacked, and our nation continues to bleed.”
He urged the government to prioritize the protection of lives and property, describing it as “the most basic duty of any government.”
However, the Nigerian Army debunked reports suggesting that troops were overrun by bandits in parts of Kwara State, dismissing such claims as “false and misleading.”
In a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Polycarp Okoye, deputy director of Army Public Relations for the 2 Division, the Army said: “Contrary to the sensational claims, troops of 148 Battalion (Rear) conducting ongoing clearance operations across Kogi and Kwara States have continued to record significant operational successes.”
The statement added that “in a recent engagement, the troops mounted a strong blocking position along the Kwara–Ekiti border axis, where they neutralized two armed bandits and recovered two brand new AK-47 rifles.”
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The Army insisted that “at no time were Army positions overrun, nor was any cache of weapons or ammunition lost to criminal elements, as mischievously reported by the online platform.”
It described the publication as “a fabrication designed to mislead the public and undermine the morale of gallant troops diligently working to restore peace and stability in the region.”
The military assured the public of its continued commitment to tackling insecurity, stating that “the Nigerian Army remains committed to ensuring that all forms of criminality are decisively dealt with across the country.”
It urged citizens to “disregard the false report and continue to support the military with timely and credible information that would aid ongoing operations.”
“The Nigerian Army also reiterates its readiness to sustain the tempo of operations until all criminal networks in Kogi, Kwara, and adjoining states are dismantled,” the statement concluded.
