BREAKING: Kogi Govt shuts down Markets, Motor Parks over Insecurity
The Kogi State Government has ordered the temporary shutdown of selected markets and motor parks across parts of the Kogi West Senatorial District to support intensified security operations aimed at dismantling terrorist cells, bandit networks, and other criminal groups in the area.
The directive was announced in a statement issued on Sunday, February 8, 2026, by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo. He said the measure is part of coordinated clearance operations being carried out with the Office of the National Security Adviser and security agencies operating in the state.
According to the government, the temporary closures are designed to disrupt criminal logistics by restricting movement and cutting off access to food, consumables, and other supplies that may be sustaining criminal activities and their local informants during the operation.
Fanwo said the directive affects selected communities across seven local government areas.
In Lokoja Local Government Area, markets and motor parks in Oshokoshoko, Jakura, Ogbagbon, Agbaja, Atsawa, Obajana, Apata, Abugi, Amomi, Ebee, and Budon have been closed for the duration of the exercise.
In Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, the shutdown 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.
Communities affected in Yagba West Local Government Area include Okoloke, Isanlu Esa, Okunran, Ogbe, Ejiba, Odo Eri, Igbaruku, Iyamerin, Ogga, Omi, Odo Ara, and Oke Ere. In Yagba East, the closures cover Irunda Ile, Iyeh Ilotin, Gada, Odogbe, and Ilafin.
In Kogi Local Government Area, the affected locations include the Rice Market at Adingere, Koton Karfe, Okpareke, 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 are shut in Mopamuro Local Government Area, while in Ijumu Local Government Area, Ayegunle Gbedde, Iyah Gbedde, Ayetoro Gbedde, Ayeh Gbedde, Iluhagba, Odokoro, and Okoro markets are affected.
The state government stressed that the closures are strictly temporary and will be lifted immediately after the conclusion of the ongoing security operations.
The move comes amid heightened security concerns in Kogi and other parts of the North-Central region. PUNCH Online reported on Friday that the Kogi State Police Command arrested eight suspected criminals during coordinated bush-combing operations across the state, with some believed to be informants linked to kidnapping syndicates.
