Tag: Kogi State

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Kogi CP deploys enhanced patrols for Ramadan, Lent security

The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command, CP Naziru Kankarofi, has deployed enhanced patrols to places of worship and other public spaces.

This is as he called on all residents to support ongoing efforts aimed at maintaining peace, security and public order throughout the state during the Ramadan and Lent period.

This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Lokoja by the public relations officer, ASP Saliu Afusat.

The statement reads, “The Commissioner of Police assures the public that the Command has put in place comprehensive security measures across the State, including enhanced visibility patrols, strategic deployments to places of worship and other public spaces, as well as intelligence-led operations to prevent crime and respond swiftly to any security concerns.”

In Christianity, Lent is a solemn 40-day season marked by fasting, self-denial, and repentance, inspired by the period Jesus Christ spent in the wilderness preparing for His crucifixion.

In Islam, Ramadan is a holy month devoted to fasting, increased prayers, and deep spiritual reflection, observed as one of the five pillars of Islam and a time that emphasises complete submission to God.

He reiterates that the Command remains committed to protecting lives and property and ensuring that all residents go about their lawful activities without fear.

Kankarofi urges residents to remain vigilant and security conscious, particularly during early morning and late evening activities.

He advises members of the public to promptly report suspicious persons or movements to the nearest Police Station or through the Command’s emergency numbers: 0703 832 9084, 0815 219 9999.

He further cautions against reckless driving, unlawful gatherings, and any conduct capable of disturbing public peace and order.

The CP also calls on parents, guardians, religious leaders, traditional rulers, youth groups and community stakeholders to use the period to promote peaceful coexistence, tolerance, and respect for the rule of law.

He emphasised that security is a shared responsibility and encourages sustained cooperation with the Police and other security agencies through timely and credible information sharing.

“The Commissioner reassures the good people of Kogi State that under his leadership, the Command will continue to uphold professionalism, discipline and respect for human rights while strengthening strategies to address emerging security challenges.

He appreciates the continued support of the Government and people of Kogi State and urges all residents to remain law-abiding to ensure a peaceful and secure Ramadan period for everyone.” The PPRO added. (Punch)

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Army foils bandits’ movement, neutralises three in Kogi

Troops of the Nigerian Army 12 Brigade, Lokoja, have foiled bandits’ movement in Kogi, neutralising three suspects and arresting one logistics supplier.

The action is disclosed in a statement by the Brigade’s spokesperson, Lt. Hassan Abdullahi, on Sunday in Lokoja.

Abdullahi said the coordinated operation occurred on Saturday, January 3, as part of ongoing efforts to curb banditry and kidnapping.

He said fighting patrols and ambushes were conducted in Kabba Bunu and Yagba West Local Government Areas of the state.

“Troops ambushed bandits moving toward Agbadu Bunu, neutralising two and recovering arms, including an AK-47 rifle and ammunition,” he said.

According to him, the troops acted on credible intelligence regarding the movement of bandits from the Adankolo general area.

“They ran into our ambush and were engaged, forcing them to withdraw with indications of casualties, as blood stains were observed,” Abdullahi said.

He said two bandits were neutralised, while an AK-47 rifle, a magazine, ammunition, a locally fabricated gun and cartridges were recovered.

Abdullahi added that troops, working with local vigilantes in Yagba West, engaged bandits around Saminaka village.

“One bandit was neutralised during the encounter, and an AK-47 rifle with ammunition was recovered,” he said.

He also disclosed the arrest of a suspected bandit logistics supplier, identified as Sunday Adedotun.

“Items recovered from his settlement included energy drinks, soft drinks, bottled water, and harvested farm produce,” Abdullahi said.

He said the suspect is currently in custody and undergoing investigation.

Abdullahi stressed that the operations demonstrate sustained pressure on criminals and their support networks.

He said the Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Kasim Sidi, commended the troops’ professionalism, courage, and swift response to intelligence.

The commander assured continued aggressive patrols and operations to deny criminals freedom of action in the state. (Guardian)

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Akpabio mourns police escort killed by tanker

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has announced automatic employment for the two sons of his police rider, Deputy Superintendent of Police Hussani Ibrahim, who died in a motor accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway on Sunday.

Akpabio made the announcement on Tuesday on the floor of the Senate while formally informing lawmakers of the officer’s death.

The late DSP Ibrahim, who served as the Senate President’s rider, according to a Premium Times report, was killed on Sunday when a petrol tanker rammed into Akpabio’s convoy.

The incident reportedly occurred in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, after the Senate President was picked up at the airport following his attendance at the chieftaincy conferment for Senator AbdulAzeez Yari and Seyi Tinubu in Oyo.

Speaking on the incident during plenary, Akpabio said, “We went to Oyo State for the installation of our colleague and the vehicles that came to pick me at the Ibadan airport… Unfortunately, my dispatch rider was run over by a tanker driver, and his head was shattered. We just buried him 15 minutes ago in Kogi State. He left two wives and four children.”

The Senate President appealed to heads of ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government to grant automatic employment to the children of the late rider.

He added that if no vacancies were available, he would personally ensure their employment.

“By the grace of God, I’m recommending two of his senior children for employment immediately in any parastatals that may wish to, otherwise I’ll employ them personally in any of my private concerns,” Akpabio added.

In a solemn address, Akpabio paid tribute to the deceased officer, describing him as a disciplined and dedicated professional whose life was defined by service.

Addressing the bereaved family, the Senate President said, “Your late father understood the value of work and service. He devoted himself to it. Unfortunately, instead of earning a laurel for the devotion, he earned death.

“But it is death that is not in vain. It is death that testifies to his legacy of service. May the Lord accept his soul.”

Akpabio also extended condolences to the family of the deceased, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Nigeria Police Force, describing Ibrahim as courageous and fearless.

“I commiserate with the family, the Inspector General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force over the loss of this courageous, fearless, and daring officer.

“While I pray to God to accept his soul, may He in His infinite mercy grant the family and the Nigeria Police Force the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” he said.

The Senate President explained that the pledge of automatic employment for the late officer’s sons was a personal gesture aimed at honouring his sacrifice and years of dedicated service.

Shortly after the announcement, Kogi West senator, Sunday Karimi, raised a motion for personal explanation to formally present the incident to the Senate through a substantive motion.

While sympathising with the Senate President, Karimi said the late dispatch rider was due for retirement next year.

He added that Mr Hussaini, a native of Kogi State, had served in Akpabio’s convoy since 2023, when he assumed office as Senate President.

Also on Tuesday, the Senate paid tribute to Alhaji Ibrahim Tukur, who died recently.

Tukur was described as a committed and dedicated driver who served for 25 years under the senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District, Jibrin Echocho.

The Senate observed a minute’s silence in honour of both deceased individuals and offered prayers for the repose of their souls. (Punch)

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Natasha shares Christmas rice, others in five Kogi LGs

The Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has distributed more than 2,000 bags of rice and other relief items to constituents across the five local government areas in the district as part of her Christmas outreach.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by her Special Adviser on Media, Mike Idoko.

The distribution, which was carried out simultaneously in Adavi, Ajaokuta, Okene, Okehi, and Ogori-Magongo Local Government Areas, aimed to cushion the impact of rising food prices and ensure that families celebrate the festive season with dignity.

Speaking during the outreach, Akpoti-Uduaghan said the initiative was driven by compassion and her conviction that leadership must translate into tangible benefits for the people.

“Christmas is a season of love, sacrifice, and shared joy. At a time when many households are struggling with the cost of living, it is important that we stand with our people in practical ways.

“This rice distribution is to ensure that families across Kogi Central can celebrate without hardship,” the senator said.

The distribution of the 25kg bags of rice cut across community groups, women’s associations, youth organisations, religious bodies, the elderly, and other vulnerable residents across the senatorial district.

Community leaders who supervised the exercise described the intervention as one of the largest Christmas rice distributions ever witnessed in the area.

“This is not symbolic support; it is real and far-reaching. The quantity and reach of this rice distribution show genuine concern for the grassroots,” a traditional leader in Okene noted.

The Christmas outreach adds to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s growing record of constituency interventions, including programmes in healthcare delivery, educational support, solar-powered infrastructure, water projects, as well as initiatives for women’s and youth empowerment across Kogi Central.

Addressing beneficiaries in Okehi, the senator reaffirmed her commitment to service-driven representation.

“My responsibility goes beyond the Senate chamber. Representation means being present, listening to the people, and responding with action that improves daily life,” she stated.

Beneficiaries expressed gratitude and offered prayers for the senator, describing the gesture as timely, compassionate, and reflective of people-centred leadership.

The development comes barely one week after Senate President Godswill Akpabio approached the Supreme Court over the legal battle arising from the suspension of the Kogi Central senator.

The move was confirmed in court documents dated December 1, 2025, made available to our correspondent on Sunday.

This followed a recent judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, which struck out the Federal Government’s brief of argument in the appeal linked to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension.

The appellate court held that the brief was incompetent, having failed to comply with the mandatory provisions of the Court of Appeal Rules on formatting and procedure. (Punch)

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Six die, others wounded in Kogi road crash, Ododo consoles families

Six people have died, and others have been wounded in a road crash along the Lokoja–Okene road. 

The Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, said the accident involved a bus carrying passengers returning from the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities held on Wednesday at the Government House, Lokoja. 

“The unfortunate accident, which occurred along the Lokoja–Okene road, claimed six precious lives,” Fanwo said in a statement. 

“Thirteen others sustained varying degrees of injuries and are currently receiving medical attention at different health facilities across the state.” 

Fanwo said the Kogi Government and people of the North-Central state are saddened by the incident and “mourn deeply with the families of the deceased and extend our heartfelt condolences to them”.

He said: “The loss of any Kogite is a loss to us all, and we stand in solidarity with the affected families and communities. This is indeed a dark day in our history”.

“His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, has directed that the State Government take full responsibility for the medical care of all injured persons until they fully recover,” the commissioner said.

According to him, the Kogi State Government has deployed personnel to the hospitals to ensure the victims receive the best possible treatment.

They are also to provide support to their families.

“Our hearts are with the families who lost their loved ones, as we consider this a state tragedy of devastating magnitude,” he said. (Channels)

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Senate confirms Amupitan as INEC chairman

The Senate has confirmed Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The Red Chamber confirmed Amupitan after a voice vote conducted by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and after undergoing screening and answering questions posed by the lawmakers.

Amupitan had earlier arrived at the National Assembly complex earlier, exchanged pleasantries with Senators.

He was accompanied to the chamber by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, and other dignitaries.

At about 12:50 p.m., the nominee was ushered into the Senate chamber by the Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Abubakar Lado, and was already seated ahead of the commencement of the exercise.

Amupitan was allowed into the hallowed chamber after the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), moved that Order 12 be set aside to allow visitors into the chamber, and he was seconded by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South).

Senate President Godswill Akpabio welcomed Amupitan, his family members, and well-wishers to the Red Chamber, commending them for their presence.

Before introducing himself to the Senators for the question and answer session to take off, Akpabio disclosed to his colleagues that the nominee had been cleared by the office of the National Security Adviser after vetting.

According to Akpabio, the office of the Department of State Services had also cleared him.

The Senate President also said that the Office of the Inspector-General of Police, having done a fingerprint search on him, cleared him and said that he had no criminal records with the police.

The screening exercise commenced at about 12:55 p.m. following Akpabio’s opening remarks, during which he outlined the procedures to be followed by the lawmakers in considering the nominee’s credentials.

The screening session focused on Amupitan’s vision for credible elections, his plans for institutional reforms within INEC, and measures to deepen the use of technology in Nigeria’s electoral process.

Following his confirmation by the Senate, Amupitan will oversee preparations for upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and lay the groundwork for the 2027 general elections.

PUNCH Online earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu had nominated Amupitan, a Professor of Law from the University of Jos, to succeed Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. (Punch)

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Kogi gov father, Alhaji Ododo, dies at 83

The father of Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, is dead.

His death was confirmed in a statement issued on Monday by the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo.

Fanwo described the 83-year-old Momohsani as a devout Muslim who would be buried in line with Islamic traditions.

The statement reads: “The Kogi State Government regrets to announce the passing of the father of the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Late Alhaji Ahmed Momohsani Ododo, who returned to his Creator a few hours ago at the age of 83.

“His Janazah (funeral) will be conducted and he will be laid to rest in accordance with Islamic rites.

“We pray to Allah (SWT) to forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds, and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.

“We also pray that Almighty Allah grants the Governor, his family, and the entire Ododo family the strength to bear this great loss with fortitude.”

Although details of the circumstances surrounding his death were not disclosed, government officials and political leaders in Kogi are expected to pay tributes to the governor’s late father, who was widely respected in his community.

The late Alhaji Ahmed Momohsani is survived by children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, including Governor Usman Ododo, who assumed office in January 2024. (Punch)