The lawmaker representing Yagba West State Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly, Ibikunle Idowu, has raised an urgent concern over the growing insecurity in his constituency, particularly in the Ogbe community, during a motion on the floor of the House on Tuesday.
Idowu described Ogbe as a community under siege, facing daily killings, abductions, and violence, especially targeting young men. He emphasized the severity of the situation, noting that the ongoing insecurity is preventing residents, mainly farmers, from going to their farms, worsening the community’s economic state.
The lawmaker further highlighted a recent tragic event in which a young community member was killed and two others abducted, fueling fear among the residents. Idowu stressed the need for immediate action, suggesting that the strategic location of Ogbe as a border town to Ekiti State makes it a prime target for marauders, who have turned the community into a battleground.
To combat this escalating crisis, Idowu called for the deployment of more security personnel, alongside the establishment of a community vigilante group. This group, he suggested, should work in close collaboration with security agencies to provide intelligence and monitor the activities of the attackers. He also urged that support be given to farmers and entrepreneurs to help them recover from the economic repercussions of the violence.
Seconding the motion, Abu Onoru-Oiza Jibrin, the member representing Ajaokuta State Constituency, echoed the concern, urging security agencies to intensify their efforts to combat crime in the state. In response, the Speaker, Aliyu Umar Yusuf, directed the House committee on security and vigilante to investigate the issue and recommend actions to address it.
