The Kogi State Government has announced immediate security restrictions, including the closure of markets and travel bans, to disrupt the logistics and supply networks of bandits operating in parts of the state.
The measures follow an evaluation of ongoing joint security operations in the Bunu District of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, where a recent attack on the Iluke community was repelled.
According to a press release signed by Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the Commissioner for Information and Communications in the state, several attackers were neutralized, while injured remnants remain trapped within the forests under sustained military pressure.
To prevent the trapped criminals from accessing essential provisions, the government has shut all markets located along the affected corridors of Bunu District until further notice. Additionally, a complete ban has been placed on the operations of commercial motorcycles, known as Okada, within the district’s hinterland routes, including the Idoyi Bunu, Illah Bunu, Iluke Bunu, Kiri, and Ayede Bunu axes.
The statement noted that intelligence reports revealed that motorcycle operators have served as a primary channel for transporting food, water, and medications to bandits in the forests, while also being used to conduct reconnaissance on communities.
Mobile medicine vendors have subsequently been directed to suspend the transportation and sale of drugs via motorcycles in these areas.
The government emphasized that anyone violating the directive will be prosecuted under the Kogi State Anti-Terrorism Law.
The state has also prohibited the sale of petrol (PMS) and diesel in jerrycans across the entirety of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area with immediate effect.
To restrict criminal operations under the cover of darkness, the government has imposed a state-wide ban on night travel on all state-owned roads. All vehicular movement on these roads must cease by 7:00 p.m. daily, and violators face arrest and prosecution.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, according to the release, has directed all security agencies to ensure strict enforcement of the directives, noting that the security situation will be reviewed every two weeks to assess the impact of the restrictions.
The statement reads:
KOGI STATE GOVERNMENT
PRESS RELEASE
KOGI GOVERNMENT BANS OKADA OPERATIONS IN BUNU HINTERLANDS, BANS NIGHT TRAVEL ON STATE ROADS AFTER 7PM, SHUTS MARKETS AND RESTRICTS FUEL SALES TO CUT OFF BANDITS’ SUPPLY NETWORK
1. The Kogi State Government has announced a series of immediate security measures aimed at cutting off logistics and supply routes to criminal elements currently under sustained military and security pressure in parts of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area.
2. Following a comprehensive review of ongoing security operations in Bunu District after the recent terrorist attack on Iluke community which was successfully repelled, intelligence and operational reports indicate that significant progress has been made by Joint Security Forces. Several of the attackers have been confirmed neutralized, while many others sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently trapped within forested areas across the district as security clearance operations continue.
3. To consolidate these gains and deny the criminals access to food, water, medication, fuel and other essential supplies, the Kogi State Government has approved the immediate ban on the use of commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, within designated hinterland corridors of Bunu District.
4. The affected areas include the corridor stretching from Idoyi Bunu through Illah Bunu, Iluke Bunu and Kiri, as well as the route from Iluke Bunu through Odai Bunu, Igbo Bunu, Ilogun Bunu, Olle Bunu, Ayede Bunu, Oke-Ofin Bunu and Edumo Bunu. The restrictions shall also apply to the Ayede Bunu, Aherin, Eshi and Ighun Bunu corridor and all other routes within the Bunu hinterlands.
5. Intelligence available to security agencies has revealed that motorcycle operators constitute a major channel through which food items, water, drugs and other logistics are transported to bandits hiding within the forests. Investigations have also established that some criminal elements utilize motorcycle transportation to conduct reconnaissance and gather intelligence on targeted communities before launching attacks.
6. Consequently, any motorcycle rider found transporting passengers, goods or supplies along the designated routes shall be apprehended and dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the Kogi State Anti-Terrorism Law.
7. The Motorcycle Operators Association of Nigeria (MOAN) is hereby directed to immediately sensitize all its members on this directive, which takes effect from today, Saturday, June 13, 2026.
8. In addition, all markets located along the affected corridors shall remain closed until further notice. Mobile medicine vendors and distributors are also directed to suspend the transportation and sale of drugs on motorcycles within the affected areas for the duration of the operation.
9. Furthermore, the sale of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel) in jerricans is hereby prohibited across the entirety of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area with immediate effect.
10. As part of measures to strengthen security across the state and deny criminal elements the opportunity to operate under the cover of darkness, the Kogi State Government hereby announces a ban on night travel on all state-owned roads across Kogi State. Consequently, all movements on state roads must cease by 7:00 p.m. daily until further notice. Any person found travelling on a state-owned road after 7:00 p.m. shall be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
11. The Kogi State Government wishes to reiterate that it possesses credible intelligence regarding individuals collaborating with criminal elements and providing support to their activities. Appropriate actions are already being taken against such persons in line with extant laws.
12. While the Government acknowledges that these measures may impose temporary inconveniences on law-abiding citizens, the protection of lives and communities remains paramount. Extraordinary security challenges often require difficult but necessary decisions, and these directives are designed solely to safeguard the people and secure lasting peace across the affected areas. The Government wishes to assure residents that the security situation will be reviewed every two weeks to assess the impact of these measures and determine the appropriate next line of action regarding the restrictions, based on the progress and successes recorded by security agencies in ongoing operations.
13. The Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has directed all security agencies to ensure strict enforcement of these measures and full compliance by all residents and stakeholders.
14. The Government further warns that any individual found aiding, supplying, harbouring or collaborating with terrorists in any form shall be treated as an accomplice to terrorism and prosecuted accordingly.
15. The Kogi State Government calls on residents to cooperate fully with security agencies, remain vigilant and continue to provide credible information that will assist ongoing operations aimed at permanently eliminating criminal elements from the state.
Signed:
Kingsley Femi Fanwo
Hon. Commissioner for Information and Communications
Kogi State
13th June, 2026