By Uzair Adam
The Kogi State Government has announced a ban on commercial motorcycle operations in parts of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, prohibited night travel on all state-owned roads after 7 p.m., shut down markets in affected communities and restricted the sale of fuel in jerricans as part of efforts to combat insecurity.
The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, who disclosed the measures in a statement issued on Saturday, said the restrictions were designed to cut off supply and logistics channels allegedly being used by criminal elements operating in parts of Bunu District.
He said the government considered the measures necessary to support ongoing security operations and protect residents from further attacks.
The announcement followed a review of ongoing security operations in Bunu District after a recent attack on Iluke community, which the government said was successfully repelled by security forces.
According to the statement, intelligence and operational reports showed that joint security forces had made significant gains, with several attackers neutralised while others sustained injuries and remained trapped in forested areas as security clearance operations continued.
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To consolidate the gains recorded by security agencies, the government approved the immediate ban on the use of commercial motorcycles, popularly known as okada, within designated hinterland corridors of Bunu District.
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 also apply to the Ayede Bunu, Aherin, Eshi and Ighun Bunu corridor and other routes within the Bunu hinterlands.
Fanwo said intelligence available to security agencies revealed that motorcycles had become a major means through which food items, water, drugs and other supplies were transported to bandits hiding in forests.
“Investigations have also established that some criminal elements utilize motorcycle transportation to conduct reconnaissance and gather intelligence on targeted communities before launching attacks,” he said.
The commissioner warned that any motorcycle rider found transporting passengers, goods or supplies along the designated routes would be arrested and prosecuted in line with the provisions of the Kogi State Anti-Terrorism Law.
He directed the Motorcycle Operators Association of Nigeria (MOAN) to immediately sensitise its members on the directive, which took effect on Saturday.
The government also ordered the closure of all markets located along the affected corridors until further notice.
Mobile medicine vendors and distributors were directed to suspend the transportation and sale of drugs on motorcycles within the affected areas for the duration of the operation.
In another measure, the government prohibited the sale of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel) in jerricans across Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area with immediate effect.
The state government further announced a ban on night travel on all state-owned roads across Kogi State, directing that all movements on such roads must cease by 7 p.m. daily until further nonotice.
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“Any person found travelling on a state-owned road after 7:00 p.m. shall be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the statement said.
Fanwo stated that the government possessed credible intelligence regarding individuals allegedly collaborating with criminal groups and providing support to their activities, adding that appropriate actions were already being taken against such persons in accordance with the law.
While acknowledging that the measures might cause temporary inconvenience to law-abiding citizens, he said the protection of lives and communities remained the government’s priority.
“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,” he said.
The commissioner assured residents that the security situation would be reviewed every two weeks to assess the impact of the measures and determine the next line of action based on progress recorded by security agencies.
He said Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo had directed all security agencies to ensure strict enforcement of the measures and full compliance by residents and stakeholders.
