Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Residents of the Bareke and Idi-Ogun communities in Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, have raised a desperate alarm over the sudden and prolonged absence of military personnel who had been providing a vital security presence in the area, leaving the community feeling exposed to escalating bandit attacks and kidnappings. The soldiers, whose regular patrols had offered a measure of reassurance amid a relentless wave of violence, have not been seen for some time, sparking anxiety among community members who fear the area has become a prime target for criminal elements. In a statement issued by concerned residents, the community appealed to its leaders and the Chairman of Yagba West Local Government Area, Hon. Tosin Oluokun, to intervene by engaging relevant security authorities to clarify whether the soldiers have been redeployed or if their withdrawal was the result of another reason.
The absence of the military comes at a time when Yagba West has become a hotspot for bandit attacks and kidnappings, with the Bareke and Idi-Ogun areas suffering some of the most brutal incidents. In March 2026, one person was killed and three others were abducted in the Idi Ogun area of Bareke, while soldiers stationed at the military Forward Operating Base in Egbe, together with local vigilantes, engaged the attackers in a gun battle. The situation has only worsened since then, with reports of terrorists invading residences, abducting women and children, and attacking farmers along vital rural routes. The community has witnessed repeated attacks on roads, farms, and residences, with several people injured, vehicles destroyed, and multiple abductions reported.
The residents' concerns are underscored by the broader context of insecurity in the region. The Egbe community, the commercial hub of Yagba, has been identified as particularly vulnerable due to its close connection with neighbouring Kwara State, where the bandits are suspected to be coming from. Local sources report that at least 10 people, including seven police officers and three civilians, were killed by bandits in Yagba within one week in March 2026. The escalating attacks have already prompted the Yagba West Local Government authorities to impose a curfew and order the closure of all schools, while residents of neighbouring Okunran village have completely deserted their homes, turning the once-bubbling community into a ghost town.
The community's appeal to the local government chairman and other leaders reflects a growing desperation for answers and action. Residents have urged the leadership to take prompt steps to ensure the continued safety and security of communities within Yagba West, warning that without the presence of security forces, the area could become even more vulnerable to the bandits who have terrorised the region for months. The Kogi State Government and security agencies are yet to issue an official response to the community's concerns, leaving residents to grapple with fear and uncertainty. As one resident lamented during the earlier wave of attacks, "The government has failed us, security agencies have failed us. If we remain here, we will be consumed by bandits." Now, with the soldiers gone, that fear has only deepened.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments