By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
The Kogi NGOs Network (KONGONET) has urged stronger coordination and proactive engagement between government agencies, security forces, traditional authorities, and civil society to curb the escalating insecurity across Kogi State.
Chairman Hamza Aliyu made the call in response to recent incidents of kidnappings, armed attacks, and banditry, particularly along the Kabba–Obajana–Lokoja corridor and in rural communities of Yagba East, Okene, and Koton-Karfe.
“Over the past several months, Kogi State has experienced a sharp rise in security threats affecting both urban and rural areas. These incidents have instilled fear, disrupted economic activities, and displaced families,” Aliyu said.
He highlighted that communal tensions fueled by land disputes and farmer-herder conflicts have worsened the situation, stressing the need for a transparent, inclusive, and coordinated response.
Aliyu recommended the strengthening of community-based security initiatives, including local vigilante groups, early-warning systems, cross-community intelligence sharing, and conflict-prevention mechanisms, all operating under human-rights compliant protocols.
He also urged citizens to avoid sharing unverified information, desist from spreading panic, and rely solely on official communication channels and credible media sources.
KONGONET is calling on the state government to take long-term measures to address insecurity, including boosting security operations and community engagement in high-risk areas, establishing a State Police structure for faster, localized responses, creating a State Peace and Security Coordination Framework that brings together civil society, youth, and traditional leaders, and implementing legal frameworks to combat misinformation.
“KONGONET believes security is a shared responsibility. We remain committed to collaborating with the government and communities to restore peace and build resilience across Kogi State,” Aliyu concluded.
