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Tag: Kogi State

  • 1 dead, 5 injured in Kogi road accident

    1 dead, 5 injured in Kogi road accident

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Friday confirmed that one person died and five others were injured in a lone crash in Kogi.

    Mr Kumar Tsukwam, FRSC Sector Commander in Kogi, who disclosed this in Lokoja, said the accident, which occurred at 6:10 p.m. on Friday along the Lokoja–Obajana–Kabba road, was fatal.

    He explained to NAN that the crash resulted from excessive speed by the driver, who lost control and somersaulted along the road.

    “As God would have it, four passengers escaped unhurt, but one died and five others were injured.

    “Our rescue team, with Nigerian Police officers, rushed the injured to Fisayo Hospital, Obajana, for immediate treatment,” he said.

    He said the corpse had been handed to relatives for burial, while the vehicle remained in police custody in Obajana.

    Tsukwam cautioned motorists against speeding and wrongful overtaking, urging them to stay alive and useful to society.

    He also advised drivers to obey traffic rules to help reduce road crashes and carnage nationwide.

  • JUST IN: Troops rescue 6 kidnapped victims in Kogi

    JUST IN: Troops rescue 6 kidnapped victims in Kogi

    In a daring rescue operation, troops of 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Lokoja, in collaboration with other security agencies, have rescued six kidnapped victims in Obajana, Kogi.

    The operation, which was conducted during the early hours of Thursday, saw the successful rescue of the victims without any casualty on the part of the troops.

    Addressing newsmen on Thursday in Obajana, Brig.-Gen. Kasim Sidi, Commander 12 Brigade Nigerian Army and Force Commander Operation Accord III, said the rescue operation was made possible through intelligent reporting and gathering.

    Sidi, represented by the Commanding Officer 126 Battalion, Lt Col. Francis Nwoffiah, said the troops, in collaboration with other security agencies conducted the rescue operations.

    The commander said the team was able to track down the kidnappers to a location in the forest, where they were keeping the victims.

    He said the kidnappers fled with injuries after encountering superior firepower from the troops, abandoning their victims and some of their belongings, including ammunition.

    “The rescued victims include the Seriki Fulani of Asinwe community in Okehi Local Government Area, who was abducted from his residence.

    “Four of the victims were kidnapped on August 12 in Asinwe community, while two were abducted on July 28 in Apata community, Lokoja.

    “The victims were successfully rescued unhurt and are set to be reunited with their families after receiving medical attention,” he said.

    The commander warned bandits and kidnappers in Kogi State and its environs to quit or face their waterloo, assuring them that efforts were ongoing to scale-up military operations within Kogi and its boundary states.

    He commended the troops and other security agents for their bravery and professionalism in conducting the rescue operation.

    The six victims comprised four males and two females.

    A victim, Malam Adamu Zage, the Seriki Fulani, Asinwe community, commended the troops for coming to their aid.

    He expressed gratitude to God for their rescue and praised the bravery of the troops.

    “May God Almighty continue to help and protect the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies,” Zage prayed.

  • Kogi Police Command ready for Saturday’s by-election – CP

    Kogi Police Command ready for Saturday’s by-election – CP

    The Kogi Police Command, on Wednesday, announced it’s preparedness to provide adequate security for the Dekina-Okura State Constituency by-election, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 16.

    The Commissioner of Police, Mr Miller Dantawaye, announced this during an interactive session with members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Lokoja.

    Dantawaye gave assurance that the police and other sister security agencies were 100 per cent ready for the election, having drawn up a comprehensive Operation Order, forwarded to the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

    He said that every officer already knew exactly where they would be and what they would do on the election day, owing to the detailed plans.

    “I’m assuring you that this command, in collaboration with other security agencies, including the DSS, Brigade Command, Customs, Immigration, Correctional Service, and Civil Defence, expects good conduct from the politicians and electorate,” Dantawaye said.

    The by-election, was prompted by the death of the constituency’s former representative and ex-Deputy Speaker of the state Assembly, Enema Paul.

    He pledged the command’s commitment to strengthening existing police and media relations to foster a stronger working collaboration and enhance accurate reportage of police activities.

    He commended the media for their role in shaping public perception and ensuring accountability, urging them to remain professional in their reportage and promote harmony in the state.

    Dantawaye also urged the media to sharpen their power of observation and report any suspicious activities and movements for prompt action.

    The state police boss highlighted some of his notable achievements since assuming office to include the detention of 582 suspects, comprising 157 kidnappers, 192 armed robbers,  seven rapists, six cultists, 28 homicides, 38 over unlawful possession of firearms and 168 others.

    He also said that the command also dismantled criminal networks and rescued unspecified number of kidnapped victims.

    “Firearms recovered include eight AK 47 rifles, one AK 49, seven locally made pistols, eleven Dane guns, and 407 rounds of live ammunition.

    “Others are ten magazines, Barretta pistol, seven live cartridges, one Sharon car, and two Bajaj motorcycles,” he said.

    Dantawaye said that the command was determined to sustain the collaboration with the media.

    He commended the State Government for its collaborative efforts, and solicited for more support, in terms of operational vehicles, security gadgets, and logistics.

    He also appealed to the public to provide credible information and intelligence to help curb crime and criminality in the state.

    Dantawaye promised that the police would protect informants and urged the public to feel free to avail them of valuable information, emphasising that security is a collective responsibility.

    In his remark, the Chairman of the chapel, Mr Segun Salami, commended the police chief for his effective leadership style, saying it would strengthen the bond between the police and media.

    Salami said that the partnership would promote mutual understanding, enhance security reporting, and contribute to a more harmonious society.

    He reiterated the chapel’s commitment to supporting the police with intelligence gathering and reportage in their efforts to tackle crime and criminality.

    Salami expressed confidence that the collaboration would lead to more accurate and informed reportage of police activities.”

  • All set for Saturday’s by-election in Kogi – INEC

    All set for Saturday’s by-election in Kogi – INEC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says all is now set for Saturday’s by-election in Dekina-Okura constituency of Kogi.

    The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Kogi, Mr Oliver Agundu, stated this in an interview with NAN in Lokoja on Tuesday.

    The by-election is sequel to the death of a former Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Enema Paul, on Dec.14, 2024 after a protracted illness.

    Agundu, who spoke through INEC’s Education Officer, Mr Haruna Haliru, said that the commission had held a meeting of Inter Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

    The meeting, he said, was aimed at mapping out plans to secure both the personnel and the materials during and after the election.

    “All non-sensitive materials have been deployed to the local government and we are only waiting for the arrival of the sensitive materials on Wednesday or Thursday.

    “We have concluded the training of our supervisory presiding officers (SPOs) who are mainly INEC staff in readiness for the election,” he said.

    Agundu stated training had also been done for presiding officers (POs) and assistant presiding officers (APOs) in Anyigba between Aug. 8 and Aug. 10.

    According to him, only five candidates from five political parties are contesting for the election.

    The REC listed the parties to include: Accord, African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Congress (APC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He assured all stakeholders in the constituency of a free, fair, transparent and credible election.

    Agundu called on all registered voters in the constituency to come out en masse, conduct themselves in an orderly manner and vote for candidates of their choice.

  • Kogi ADC suspends Rep Leke Abejide indefinitely

    Kogi ADC suspends Rep Leke Abejide indefinitely

    The Kogi State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has suspended the member representing Yagba East-West/Mopamuro Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Leke Abejide, indefinitely.

    It was gathered that Abejide was suspended indefinitely for gross insubordination and anti-party activities.

    A statement by Kogi ADC Secretary, Adaji John, states that the suspension follows Abejide’s recent meeting with party members in Abuja without clearance from the state leadership.

    The party accused the lawmaker of attempting to absorb the powers of the state chairman and secretary, casting aspersions on the leadership, and working against the party’s interests.

    ADC in the statement cautioned Abejide, stressing that continuous disobedience could lead to expulsion, as it warns other members involved in anti-party gatherings to desist or face consequences.

  • Suspected killer of Kogi journalist is dead – Police

    Suspected killer of Kogi journalist is dead – Police

    The Police command in Kogi says the suspected killer of Mr Ayo Aiyepeku, a photo-journalist, Mr Jacob Adebayo Pelumi, has allegedly committed suicide.

    The Command’s spokesperson, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, revealed this to NAN on Thursday in Lokoja.

    Ovye-Aya said Pelumi’s corpse was found in a hotel room in Lokoja, hours after police launched a manhunt for him on Wednesday.

    “The hotel management alerted us early Thursday morning to a corpse lying in one of the rooms.

    “Upon responding, we discovered it was the suspect wanted in connection with the alleged killing of the photo-journalist.

    “We found a suicide note and a bottle of Sniper insecticide beside his bed in the hotel room,” he said.

    Pelumi’s body has been deposited at the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, for autopsy to determine the actual cause of death.

    Ovye-Aya said Aiyepeku was gruesomely murdered on Tuesday night in an office near the Government House/GRA area of Lokoja.

    He said the Hilux vehicle allegedly used by Pelumi has been recovered and is now parked at the ‘A’ Division station.

    A deep freezer found in the vehicle has also been taken into custody by the police.

    Regarding the whereabouts of Aiyepeku’s body, the police spokesperson said efforts to locate it are ongoing.

    He stated that the Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, has ordered the case transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department.

    “The discreet investigation will help us uncover what truly happened,” Ovye-Aya said.

    He appealed to the victim’s family, colleagues, and the public to provide credible information to aid the investigation.

    Earlier, the deceased’s family made a passionate appeal to police authorities and the Kogi government for justice.

    Chief James Aiyepeku, father of the deceased, said his son was assassinated in cold blood and called for justice.

    He described Ayobami as gentle and hardworking, with no known quarrels at work over the last four years.

    He pleaded with Gov. Ahmed Ododo and security agencies to help retrieve his son’s body and punish the perpetrators.

    Mr Timothy Aiyepeku, the deceased’s elder brother, and his uncle, Dr Ibikunle Jide, also appealed for justice.

    Timothy said: “As I speak, we have yet to recover the body of my younger brother.”

    He described Ayobami as kind, humble and hardworking, saying the family deserves justice for his untimely death.

    He appealed to the Federal and Kogi governments and police authorities to uncover the mystery behind the killing.

    Dr Jide commended the police for their swift response but urged intensified efforts to recover Ayobami’s body.

    He stressed that government must be proactive, as every hand must be on deck to find the body promptly.

    “We also thank the media for ensuring the incident receives wide coverage and public attention,” he added.

  • Communities sacked as heartbreaking rainstorms, flood wreak havoc in Kogi

    Communities sacked as heartbreaking rainstorms, flood wreak havoc in Kogi

    Rainstorms and flooding are wreaking havoc in Kogi State, leaving several communities and schools severely affected. Communities in Idah, Kabba-Bunu, and Lokoja Local Government Areas (LGAs) have been hit hard.

    The affected areas include Aiyeteju, Iyah, Ben Thomas, Kajola, and Fehinti in Kabba-Bunu LGA; Sakin Noma in Lokoja LGA; and the Federal Polytechnic in Idah LGA.

    Residents of these communities, including those at the Polytechnic, are counting their losses after devastating rainstorms and flash floods swept through the region, leaving behind extensive destruction.

    On Wednesday, Mr Adetope Ademiluyi, Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Idah, said two successive rainstorms caused major damage to the institution’s infrastructure, disrupting academic activities.

    He reported that lecture halls, laboratories, and hostels were among the buildings affected.

    “The sad incident has deeply impacted staff and student morale. We are earnestly soliciting support and assistance from the government, corporate organisations, and the public to help us rebuild.

    “As the premier institution of higher learning in Kogi, we remain committed to delivering quality education,” he said.

    Some residents of Kabba-Bunu LGA blamed the flooding on poor drainage systems, the state’s ongoing gully erosion control projects, and abandoned road construction work.

    According to Samuel Moses and Ifeoma Nwasu, the combination of torrential rainfall and stalled erosion control efforts significantly worsened the flooding.

    However, Mr Rabah Harb, Project Manager at Levant Construction Ltd., denied any responsibility, stating that the company should not be held accountable for the damage caused by the flood.

    Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Mouktar Atimah, described the situation as “devastating” and “very unfortunate.”

    He said SEMA, in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), planned to visit the affected communities and the Polytechnic to assess the level of damage and coordinate a response.

    He assured that Gov. Ahmed Ododo’s administration was fully committed to protecting residents from the devastating effects of flooding in 2025.

  • Tragedy as 2-year-old drowns in Lokoja River

    Tragedy as 2-year-old drowns in Lokoja River

    A tragic incident occurred on Monday in Lokoja, as two-year-old Godwin Kumfa drowned in the Meme River near his home in Phase Two.

    The incident reportedly happened at about 7:30 a.m. behind the Navy Quarters, Phase Two Extension, in Lokoja.

    His father, Mr Mamtip Kumfa, told NAN he received a distress call from a neighbour around 7:30 a.m. that the boy was missing.

    Kumfa, a security guard at a private school, said he returned home to find his wife searching frantically at the riverside.

    He explained that his wife had left Godwin sitting by the river while she went to collect sand and returned to find him gone.

    “Godwin was left alone by the river while she gathered sand,” Kumfa said, his voice filled with grief.

    “Later, we found one of his shoes near Arigbede, about 15km downstream. I’m lost. Godwin is my only son,” he added.

    A family friend, Mr Seun Babalola, said they trailed the river path, but could only find the boy’s shoe downstream.

    He revealed that a similar tragedy had happened at the same river two years ago, involving another young boy.

    “Two years ago, a seven-year-old named Goodluck Friday also drowned here. It’s painful. We don’t know if it’s natural or something else. Only God knows,” he said.

    The boy’s mother, Mrs Lovina Kumfa, cried uncontrollably, pleading for help and divine intervention.

    “I left him just for a while. When I came back, he was gone. Please God, help me find my child,” she sobbed.

    The community remains in shock, as family, friends, and neighbours rally around the grieving parents.

    At the time of filing this report, efforts to recover the child’s (or his remains) were still ongoing by local search parties.

  • SAD: 1 dead as police foil kidnap attempt in Kogi

    SAD: 1 dead as police foil kidnap attempt in Kogi

    The Police Command in Kogi has confirmed the death of one passenger in a foiled attempt to abduct passengers along the Obajana-Oshokoshoko road in the state.

    A statement on Tuesday in Lokoja by SP Williams Ovye-Aya, the command’s spokesman, said the feat was part of a series of bold operations carried out in the command.

    Ovye-Aya said that on June 23, the Obajana Division operatives foiled the attempted abduction of passengers along the Obajana-Oshokoshoko road.

    “The police patrol team responded promptly to sporadic gunfire and engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel, forcing them to flee.

    “All passengers were successfully rescued, but six sustained injuries, and one later died while receiving treatment,” he said.

    He further stated that the command in a separate incident arrested two suspects in Ayingba for possession of firearms, and recovered several exhibits on June 21.

    He said the two arrested suspects were found in possession of a locally made pistol, live cartridges, and suspected Indian hemp.

    Again, he disclosed that on June 22, operatives of the Okene Division intercepted a Nissan vehicle with five passengers heading towards Auchi.

    He said that during a search, one passenger escaped, leaving behind a bag containing a Sub-Machine Gun (SMG) rifle, live ammunition, and other exhibits.

    The spokesman listed the recovered items as “1 SMG Rifle with breach number 5197, 1 Magazine, 28 live ammunition of 5.6mm, 1 live G3 ammunition, locally made pistol, 2 live cartridges and other items.”

    Ovye-Aya quoted the Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, as reassuring citizens of the command’s commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property in the state.

  • Kogi poly withdraws 273, expels 6 students

    Kogi poly withdraws 273, expels 6 students

    The Academic Board of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, has withdrawn 273 students due to poor academic performance across several departments and programmes.

    This is contained in a statement by the Chairman of the Board, Prof. Salisu Usman, on Monday in Lokoja.

    Usman, who also serves as Rector, revealed that six students were expelled for offences related to examination misconduct.

    The board’s decision affects 20 departments and 42 academic programmes across the institution.

    He said the action followed the board’s 120th meeting, where it reviewed first semester results for the 2024/2025 academic session.

    Usman stated that the students failed to meet academic standards, in spite of having access to a supportive learning environment.

    He said six students were found guilty of serious examination offences and were accordingly expelled.

    According to the rector, two of the expelled students were from the Business Administration and Accountancy Department. Four others were from the Mass Communication Department.

    He said the students were caught impersonating or in possession of prohibited items during examinations.

    “The Central Examination Misconduct Committee, led by Dr Grace Ehimony, investigated the cases thoroughly.

    “Following the committee’s recommendation, the board approved the students’ expulsion without delay,” he said.

    Usman assured that the institution remains committed to upholding academic excellence and integrity.

    He praised board members for their dedication and unwavering support in promoting standards.

    The rector urged students to stay focused and use available resources to succeed academically.