The Nigeria Police Force has placed security agencies in Kogi State on high alert following intelligence reports indicating a mass movement of armed bandits into communities in Kogi East. According to an internal wireless communication circulated by the State Intelligence Department (SID) in Lokoja, a large number of armed individuals fleeing ongoing military operations in Kwara and Niger States have migrated into forested areas around Bassa and the Anyigba–Ochaja corridor. The intelligence suggests that the bandits are heavily armed and may pose a significant threat to public institutions, security formations, and residents in the affected areas.
The internal communication, obtained from the police, indicated that some members of the group are reportedly dressed in military uniforms, carrying AK-47 rifles and other sophisticated weapons. The intelligence specifically identified several high-risk targets for potential attacks, including Ochaja Boys and Girls Secondary Schools, Prince Abubakar Audu University in Anyigba, banks, police stations, and worship centres across Kogi East. The communication emphasized that these locations could be subject to coordinated assaults by the armed groups, underscoring the urgency of preventive measures by security agencies.
The police signal, issued to divisional commands across the state, reads in full:
“AC INT X INTREP X INFLUX OF BANDITS TO KOGI EAST SENATORIAL DISTRICT X INTELLIGENCE AVAILABLE AT THE DEPARTMENT’S DISPOSAL REVEALED THAT X LARGE NUMBER OF BANDITS HAVE MIGRATED INTO FORESTS WITHIN BASSA AND ANYIGBA/OCHAJA AXES X DUE TO THE ONGOING ONSLAUGHT ON THEM BY SECURITY OPERATIVES IN KWARA/NIGER STATES X
“SOURCE DISCLOSED THAT THE HOODLUMS MAIN TARGETS ARE PUBLIC PLACES SUCH AS OCHAJA BOYS/GIRLS SECONDARY SCHOOLS X PRINCE ABUBAKAR AUDU UNIVERSITY ANYIGBA X BANKS I POLICE STATIONS AND WORSHIP CENTRES ACROSS KOGI EAST X IT IS FURTHER REVEALED THAT X THE HOODLUMS WHO ARE IN MILITARY UNIFORMS ARE WELL ARMED WITH SOPHISTICATED WEAPONS SUCH AK-47/MILITARY RIFLES X
“IN LIGHT OF THE ABOVE X EYE SUGGEST THAT X ACPOL ANYIGBA/SUPOLs BASSA X DEKINA X ANYIGBA X AND EGUME BE INTIMATED TO FORTIFY STATIONS X QUR/PMF PERSONNEL BE DRAFTED TO THE AREA X STOP AND SEARCH/PATROLS BE INTENSIFIED ALONG THE MAJOR ROADS WITHIN THE AREA X MEANWHILE X SURVEILLANCE/INTELLIGENCE IS SUSTAINED X ABOVE FOR YOUR INFORMATION PLEASE XXXXXX ACPOLSID LOKOJA”
The directive instructs divisional police officers across Anyigba, Bassa, Dekina, and Egume to fortify their stations, deploy additional personnel, and intensify patrols along major roads. It further recommended the immediate briefing of all Divisional Police Officers, the deployment of Quick Response Unit (QRU) and Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel to vulnerable locations, and enhanced stop-and-search operations in the senatorial district. Surveillance and intelligence gathering were highlighted as crucial measures to detect and deter any planned attacks by the armed groups.
Police sources explained that the bandits’ movement into Kogi East is linked to increased military pressure in neighboring states. Operations in Kwara and Niger States, targeting bandit hideouts, have reportedly forced several groups to relocate to areas that are densely forested and less accessible to security forces. Officials expressed concern that the displaced bandits, some of whom have previously carried out violent attacks in northern and central Nigeria, may now be attempting to establish new bases of operation in Kogi State.
The security alert comes at a time of growing national concern over escalating banditry, kidnappings, and violent attacks in several states. The Nigerian government has acknowledged that the security situation remains critical and that citizens in vulnerable areas face ongoing threats. On Friday night, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Tosin Adeola Ajayi, met with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to provide a detailed briefing on the nation’s security landscape. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirmed the closed-door meeting, stating that it was part of the administration’s routine engagement with security chiefs as the government intensifies efforts to curb banditry, terrorism, and other emerging threats.
Although details of the DSS briefing were not made public, sources indicated that the Director-General presented a comprehensive assessment of current security challenges, including areas at high risk of attacks, ongoing countermeasures by security agencies, and recommendations for further action. Analysts say such briefings are critical for coordinating federal and state-level responses, particularly as intelligence reports continue to highlight the mobility and adaptability of armed groups operating in Nigeria.
The federal government has publicly acknowledged the scale of violence in affected regions while emphasizing that efforts are ongoing to mitigate the risks. Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris, speaking on a televised program, confirmed that fatalities and attacks have occurred but stated that the government is taking “significant steps” to address the challenges. “Yes, we have people being killed, no doubt about that,” Idris said. “The government is not shying away or denying this.” His remarks underscore the administration’s awareness of public concern and its commitment to a coordinated security response.
Security analysts have noted that the movement of bandits into Kogi East could have far-reaching implications, given the region’s geographic positioning and the vulnerability of rural communities. Forested areas in Bassa and the Anyigba/Ochaja axis provide cover for armed groups, making detection and intervention more difficult. The presence of heavily armed individuals reportedly wearing military uniforms also raises concerns about their ability to carry out attacks with a degree of sophistication and coordination.
Local authorities have been instructed to maintain heightened vigilance and strengthen coordination with federal security agencies. Residents have been urged to report any suspicious activity and to take extra precautions, particularly around schools, banks, police stations, and places of worship. The police signal stresses the need for continuous monitoring, deployment of additional personnel, and proactive engagement to prevent potential attacks, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
As the security agencies implement these measures, experts say ongoing intelligence gathering, community engagement, and swift operational responses will be crucial to averting attacks and protecting civilians. The situation in Kogi East remains fluid, with authorities monitoring the movement of armed groups and adapting their strategies in real-time. Analysts emphasize that the success of these measures will depend on rapid deployment of forces, effective coordination between state and federal security agencies, and timely dissemination of actionable intelligence to frontline officers.
The heightened alert in Kogi State reflects broader concerns about the persistence and adaptability of bandit networks in Nigeria. Military operations in other states have displaced armed groups, prompting them to seek new locations where they can regroup, launch attacks, or establish influence over vulnerable communities. This underscores the ongoing challenge for security forces, who must balance reactive and proactive measures to protect civilians while dismantling organized criminal networks.
The Nigeria Police Force has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and property in Kogi State.
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