The Kogi State Government has ordered the temporary closure of selected markets and motor parks across parts of the state as part of intensified security operations aimed at flushing out terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.
The decision was announced in a statement issued on Sunday by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, and made available to newsmen
According to the statement, the closures affect selected markets and motor parks in parts of the Kogi West Senatorial District and adjoining areas, as security agencies intensify coordinated clearance operations.
Fanwo said the move was designed to disrupt criminal logistics by restricting movement and cutting off access to food supplies, consumables and other forms of support used by terrorists and their informants.
He explained that the operations were being carried out in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and heads of security agencies in the state.
“The temporary shutdown is intended to deny criminals freedom of movement and access to logistics during the security exercise,” he said.
The directive affects communities across seven local government areas of the state.
In Lokoja Local Government Area, affected locations include Oshokoshoko Market and Motor Park, as well as markets and motor parks in Jakura, Ogbagbon, Agbaja, Atsawa, Obajana, Apata, Abugi, Amomi, Ebee and Budon.
In Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, the closure applies to markets and motor parks in Ike Bunu, Aba Marian (Isado), Ofere, Abaa Dola (Ihale Bunu), Aiyede, Oke Offin, Aiyegunle Bunu, Okebukun, Odo Ape Bunu, Agbadu Bunu and Agbede Apa Bunu.
For Yagba West Local Government Area, affected communities include Okoloke, Isanlu Esa, Okunran, Ogbe, Ejiba, Odo Eri, Igbaruku, Iyamerin, Ogga, Omi, Odo Ara and Oke Ere.
In Yagba East Local Government Area, markets and motor parks in Irunda Ile, Iyeh Ilotin, Gada, Odogbe and Ilafin have also been shut temporarily.
In the Kogi Local Government Area, the directive applies to the Rice Market at Adingere, Koton Karfe, Okpareke, and Girinya; the Okro Market at Opanda; and the Perishable Market at Edeha.
Markets and motor parks in Otafun Amuro, Oroke Amuro, Takete Ide Amuro, Okeagi, Illai, Ilemo and Ijagbe in Mopamuro Local Government Area are also affected.
In Ijumu Local Government Area, the following markets will remain closed throughout the duration of the operations: Ayegunle Gbedde, Iyah Gbedde, Ayetoro Gbedde, Ayeh Gbedde, Iluhagba, Odokoro, and Okoro.
The government stressed that the closures were strictly temporary and would be lifted immediately after the successful conclusion of the security exercise.
Newsmen reported that Kogi State has witnessed a resurgence of banditry in recent times.
Last year, suspected criminals attempted to attack the Obajana operational base but were repelled by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, leading to the arrest of several suspects.
The All Progressives Congress has explained why the newly-defected Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has not yet been officially welcomed into the party.
Speaking on TVC on Sunday, APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, said the delay is part of a strategic plan to manage regional sensitivities, particularly in northern states.
Explaining the party’s schedule of formal receptions, Yilwatda said, “We have Kano we’re preparing for. When you’re dealing in politics, we opted to clear the north first because Ramadan is coming and most of the people in the north are Muslims.
“We have a lot of communities in the north that are sensitive to the issue of Ramadan. So we pleaded that we clear the northern governors who have to come to the APC first before going to the south, where we don’t have Ramadan as an issue.”
He emphasised that the delay has nothing to do with Fubara lacking authority.
“So these are strategies and also acknowledge the sensitivity of each community. That’s the reason we took that decision. It has nothing to do with Siminalayi Fubara not having authority,” he added.
When asked about claims that Fubara appeared unable to assert control as the APC leader in Rivers State, Yilwatda challenged the premise of the question, demanding evidence of any internal complaint.
“Is that what you’re told? I’m the national chairman. Who complained to you? What petition? I want you to give me one petition. Has he complained
When somebody has not complained, and we’ve not seen a physical petition, the media should not create a petition. And they become the petitioners, the judge, and the jailer at the same time,” he said.
When the interviewer referenced comments by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, about political actors in Rivers State uniting under President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda, Yilwatda said such support groups were separate from the APC’s official structures.
“Support groups are separate from party activities. Is it under the office of the chairman of the party?” he said.
The political backdrop to the questions around Fubara’s leadership stems from a long-running crisis in Rivers State.
Fubara’s relationship with his predecessor, Wike, collapsed after their 2023 power struggle, which at one point prompted President Bola Tinubu to declare a six-month state of emergency in the state.
Fubara formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC on December 9, 2025, a realignment widely seen as part of his bid for a second term in 2027 and an effort to consolidate support after his fallout with Wike.
However, Wike, who remains a powerful political figure in Rivers despite not being an APC member, has publicly challenged the notion that Fubara’s defection automatically makes him party leader in the state, arguing that grassroots control and party structures — which his supporters still occupy in parts — determine leadership.
The dynamic has fuelled a broader political crisis, with rival factions within the APC and PDP in Rivers engaging in impeachment moves, negotiations and efforts to stabilise the situation ahead of the 2027 elections.
Punch/ Samuel Olokoba
