Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The sun had barely risen over the farmlands of Oshokoshoko in Oworo, Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State, on the morning of Tuesday, August 11, 2026, when Mr Dada, a farmer whose name has become a symbol of the mortal risk facing rural workers, was shot dead by armed bandits while tending to his crops. The killing, which occurred along the strategic Obajana–Kabba corridor, has sent shockwaves through the farming community and intensified fears that insecurity is strangling the agricultural backbone of the state. Residents who rely on these farms for their survival now face a terrifying choice: risk their lives to feed their families, or abandon their livelihoods to the mercy of criminals who roam the forests with impunity.
Mr Dada was reportedly working on his farmland in the Oshokoshoko area when the attackers struck. The armed men emerged from the surrounding bush, firing at the farmer before he could flee. Neighboring farmers who heard the gunshots rushed to the scene but found Mr Dada already dead, his body lying in the field he had cultivated with his own hands. The assailants fled into the dense forests that have long provided cover for criminal networks operating in the region, leaving behind a grieving family and a community paralyzed by fear. The killing occurred just days after bandits abducted nine travelers in the same area, underscoring the deteriorating security situation along the Kabba-Obajana-Lokoja road, a key route connecting communities in Kogi State.
The Oshokoshoko–Obajana axis has become a hotbed of criminal activity, with bandits and kidnappers using the forested terrain as a hideout for their nefarious activities. Local hunters and community members have repeatedly fallen victim to attacks, with some killed and others injured while trying to defend their communities. The activities of bandits in the forests had previously created fear among residents and negatively affected the image of the Oshokoshoko–Obajana axis. In recent months, security forces have conducted operations to restore peace, with monarchs in the area praising the efforts of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Usman Ododo for their intervention. However, the killing of Mr Dada has exposed the fragility of these security gains and the continued vulnerability of farmers who are the primary targets of these attacks.
The killing of Mr Dada has heightened fears among farmers and residents who regularly travel into isolated areas to access their farmlands. Many farmers now live in constant dread, unsure if they will return home after a day's work. The latest incident has renewed calls for improved security presence and surveillance along the Obajana–Kabba corridor and other vulnerable farming communities in the area. Residents are appealing to security agencies and the Kogi State Government to take urgent steps to protect farmers and prevent further attacks. The federal government has previously deployed troops to the area, with the 12 Brigade of the Nigerian Army conducting operations to repel bandits and rescue kidnapped victims. However, the persistence of these attacks suggests that more robust measures are needed to address the root causes of insecurity in the region.
The Obajana–Kabba corridor is not only a vital transportation route but also a lifeline for agricultural produce that feeds communities across Kogi State and beyond. The killing of a farmer like Mr Dada is not just a personal tragedy; it is an attack on the food security and economic stability of the entire region. As bandits continue to target farmers, the cost of food is likely to rise, and the livelihoods of thousands of families will be jeopardized. The Kogi State Government must act decisively to protect its citizens and restore confidence in the safety of rural communities. This includes deploying more security personnel to high-risk areas, improving intelligence gathering, and working with community leaders to identify and dismantle criminal networks.
The death of Mr Dada is a stark reminder of the human cost of insecurity in Nigeria's rural heartland. His name will be added to the growing list of farmers who have paid the ultimate price for their labor, while the criminals who killed him remain at large. The people of Oshokoshoko and surrounding communities are left to mourn their loss and pray that their cries for help will not fall on deaf ears. As one resident put it, "We are living in fear. Every day we go to our farms, we are risking our lives. The government must act now before more of us are killed."
The killing of Mr Dada is a tragedy that should never have happened. It is a grim indictment of the failure of security agencies to protect vulnerable communities and a call to action for the government to prioritize the safety of its citizens. As the sun sets over the farmlands of Oshokoshoko, the memory of a farmer who was simply trying to earn a living will linger, a haunting reminder of the price of insecurity in Nigeria.
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