Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Armed bandits have killed a Tiv woman in Ogbe Forest, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, and shot her child during an attack on a farm, in an incident that has heightened fears across border communities linking Kogi and Ekiti states.
The attack reportedly occurred several days ago in Ogbe Forest, a rural farming settlement that shares proximity with Oke-Ako in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State. According to community sources, the woman was tending to her farm when gunmen emerged from the forest and opened fire. She was killed at the scene, while her child sustained gunshot injuries and was rushed to a medical facility, where the child is currently receiving treatment.
Local residents described the assault as sudden and unprovoked. Farmers operating in the forest had previously reported sightings of suspicious armed men moving within the area, raising concerns about growing insecurity. Community members say those warnings were not adequately addressed before the fatal incident occurred.
In a related development, three persons were reportedly abducted last weekend in Oke-Ako, a neighbouring community in Ekiti State. Oke-Ako shares a boundary with Ogbe, and residents fear that armed groups may be exploiting the porous forest corridor that links both states to carry out coordinated attacks and kidnappings.
The dual incidents have intensified tension along the Ekiti–Kogi border, with villagers expressing anxiety over safety in farmlands and along rural access roads. Agriculture remains the primary livelihood in the affected communities, and farmers say fear of attack is already disrupting economic activity.
Community leaders in both states have appealed to security agencies to increase patrols in forested areas and establish joint surveillance operations across the boundary. They argue that the geographic terrain—dense vegetation, limited road networks, and minimal security presence—makes the area vulnerable to armed criminal groups.
Residents report that Ogbe Forest and adjoining bush paths have become increasingly risky in recent months, with occasional reports of armed men demanding levies from farmers or threatening violence. Although no official casualty figures have been released beyond the confirmed death and injury, the pattern of attacks has heightened alarm among locals.
Security analysts note that border communities between states often face unique enforcement challenges, as coordination between state commands can be inconsistent. Criminal groups frequently exploit administrative boundaries to evade pursuit, crossing from one jurisdiction to another through forest routes.
Authorities in both Ekiti and Kogi states have not yet issued detailed public statements on the incidents, but local sources indicate that security personnel have begun intensified patrols in parts of the affected areas. Residents, however, insist that sustained deployment rather than temporary response measures is needed to restore confidence.
The killing of the Tiv woman has also drawn attention to the vulnerability of migrant farming communities operating within forest belts. Tiv farmers, many of whom cultivate crops in remote areas, are said to be particularly exposed due to their distance from central settlements.
Community members have called for the establishment of forward security posts within Ogbe Forest and improved intelligence gathering to detect armed movements early. Some residents are advocating for collaborative security meetings between traditional rulers, local vigilante groups and formal security agencies to develop coordinated response strategies.
The abductions in Oke-Ako have further compounded fears, with families of the kidnapped victims reportedly awaiting contact from the perpetrators. Kidnapping for ransom has become a recurring threat in several rural parts of Nigeria, particularly in areas with limited law enforcement visibility.
Local leaders warn that without decisive intervention, the insecurity could trigger displacement, disrupt farming cycles and strain relations between neighbouring communities. The shared boundary between Ekiti and Kogi has historically facilitated trade and social ties, but recent violence threatens to undermine that stability.
Observers say the incidents highlight broader national challenges in securing forested regions that serve as operational bases for armed groups. They stress the need for coordinated inter-state security frameworks, improved mobility for rural patrol units and enhanced community-based intelligence networks.
As residents mourn the slain woman and await news on the abducted individuals, calls for urgent and sustained action continue to grow. For families in Ogbe and Oke-Ako, the priority remains immediate protection and assurance that farmlands and rural routes will no longer serve as theatres of unchecked violence.
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