Kogi Deploys Surveillance Drones to Boost Security Operations……

The Kogi State Government has unveiled two high-capacity PH20 surveillance drones to strengthen security and improve intelligence gathering across the state. Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo presented the advanced equipment on Monday at the 12 Brigade Headquarters, Chari-Maigumeri Barracks in Lokoja. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to adopting modern security technologies to combat criminal activities, noting that the move aligns with global best practices and aims to enhance the safety of lives and property in Kogi State.
#fintternews

Lokoja-Abuja Expressway Gridlock Strands Commuters, Children Amid Festive Travel Chaos

Travelers on the Lokoja–Abuja Expressway faced hours of gridlock, with vehicles barely moving over a five-kilometre stretch. Passengers, including children, were stranded for over four hours, as security agencies prioritized clearing convoys over helping ordinary commuters. The chaos is linked to ongoing road construction and absent contractors, leaving motorists frustrated and exposed to risks like accidents and fatigue. This latest traffic nightmare highlights infrastructural neglect and poor management, echoing similar standstills on the route during peak travel periods.

#LokojaAbujaJam #TrafficChaos #NigeriaTravel

Kogi Govt Demolishes Criminal Hideouts in Okene to Curb Rising Insecurity

Kogi State security operatives, backed by heavy equipment, have demolished buildings in Sambell community, Idoji, Okene, identified as criminal hideouts. Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo approved the decisive operation after intelligence linked the area to kidnappers, armed robbers, and violent gangs terrorizing Okene, Ajaokuta, Lokoja, and nearby areas. Officials say dismantling these camps will make it harder for criminals to regroup, emphasizing zero tolerance for crime. Residents welcomed the move, calling it long overdue, while security operations continue across other hotspots.

#KogiSecurity #OkeneCrime #NigeriaNews

Wahala Don Happen Oo! Resident Doctors Suspend Strike After Talks With FG, But Say Matter Never Finish

Wahala don happen for Nigeria’s health sector as the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) has suspended its planned nationwide strike earlier fixed for Monday, January 12, 2026. The decision followed fresh engagements with the Federal Government, with the North-Central caucus of the association announcing the suspension in the interest of patients while discussions continue. However, caucus leader, Dr Fanen Dogoh, stressed that the issues that led to the strike threat remain unresolved. The doctors had planned industrial action over the government’s failure to honour a Memorandum of Understanding with NARD. Key demands include the reinstatement of doctors sacked from Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja, over union activities, and payment of outstanding salaries and allowances, including 18 months’ arrears owed in institutions such as FTH Makurdi and UITH Ilorin. Other grievances include delayed entry salaries, unpaid promotion arrears and non-implementation of reviewed professional allowances. The association warned it may resume the strike if concrete action is not taken.

Terrorists Abduct Newly Married Kogi Man Days After Wedding on Abuja–Lokoja Highway, Wife Escapes as Insecurity Worsens

Terrorists have abducted a newly married man from Kogi State just days after his wedding while traveling along the Abuja–Lokoja highway, a route increasingly plagued by kidnappings and violent attacks. The incident occurred on January 1, 2026, around Kotokerefe community, when the victim was journeying from Inye in Ankpa Local Government Area to Abuja with his wife and a friend.

Sources disclosed that the attackers intercepted their vehicle and forced it to stop, seizing the man while his wife and companion managed to escape and later raised the alarm. The victim reportedly got married on December 29, 2025, and was heading to Abuja shortly after the ceremony when he was abducted.

As of the time of reporting, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement, and it remains unclear whether the abductors have contacted the victim’s family to demand a ransom. The abduction comes amid escalating insecurity in Kogi State, following a separate terrorist attack on Idofin community in Yagba East Local Government Area on January 3, 2026, which left one person dead and another seriously injured.

LOKOJA: TROOPS FOIL BANDITS MOVEMENT: ARREST LOGISTICS SUPPLIER IN KOGI

Troops, 12 Brigade Nigerian Army Lokoja on Saturday 3 January 2026 recorded another operational successes following coordinated patrols and ambush, conducted in Kabba Bunu and Yagba West Local Government Areas of Kogi State.

A statement by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations 12 Brigade Nigerian Army Lieutenant HASSAN ABDULLAHI says the troops, acting on credible intelligence on the movement of bandits from Adankolo area towards Agbadu Bunu in Kabba Bunu LGA, swiftly deployed and laid ambush at bandits identified crossing point.

He says the he bandits subsequently ran into the troops's ambush where they were engaged.

In the course of the encounter, troops neutralized two bandits and recovered one AK 47 rifle.

Relatedly, further intelligence revealed another movement of bandits around Saminaka village in Yagba West LGA.

The statement says Troops, in conjunction with local vigilantes, conducted a patrol to the village and adjoining forested areas. On arrival, the village was observed to have been deserted, prompting troops to dismount and explore the surrounding forest and routes leading towards the Saminaka Sabo Rijiya road where they came across a number of bandits and engaged them.

During the operation, troops also arrested a suspected bandit logistics supplier identified as Sunday Adedotun, from Odo Eri village in Yagba West LGA.

The suspect was apprehended on a farmland within Saminaka village, claiming to be assisting farmers in transporting produce from their farms.

Items discovered include cartons of energy and soft drinks, bottled water and harvested farm produce.

The suspect according to the statement is currently in custody undergoing investigation.

Commander, 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Kasim Umar Sidi commends the troops for their professionalism, courage and timely response to credible intelligence, noting that their actions reflect the high level of commitment to duty.

He assures the public that troops will continue to sustain aggressive patrols, ambushes and intelligence driven operations to deny criminal elements freedom of action within the area.

Day three Update on Lokoja Abuja highway gridlock

As the gridlock at Kotonkarfe axis along Lokoja-Abuja highway persists, an appeal is been made to the federal government to order the contractors handling the road project to open up the road to ensure free flow of traffic during the Yuletide.

Solomon Ayedehin who has been on ground at Kotonkarfe reports that the gridlock is far from being over at the moment.

On Monday morning, December 22, 2025, thousands of motorists were stranded for hours on the Abuja–Lokoja Expressway, despite claims by the Tinubu administration that traffic had returned to normal. Vehicles barely moved over a stretch of less than five kilometres, turning the busy highway into a virtual parking lot. Families, commuters, and commercial drivers spent hours trapped in traffic, highlighting alleged government denial and infrastructural neglect during peak Christmas travel.
Eyewitnesses reported that ongoing road construction, combined with contractors leaving for the holiday without providing traffic management or diversions, contributed to the congestion. The Ministry of Works, however, stated that the disruption was triggered by a standoff between truck drivers and military personnel after a truck’s windscreen was smashed, which led drivers to block the road in protest.
In response, Federal authorities deployed measures to restore traffic flow, reopening completed sections of the expressway and working with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other agencies. Officials urged motorists to remain patient, cautious, and orderly during the peak holiday period.
The incident underscores ongoing challenges in road infrastructure management and traffic control in Nigeria, especially during high-traffic festive periods.
Source: SaharaReporters, December 22, 2025.

Lady Travelling From Abuja to Imo for Christmas Sparks Reactions as Heavy Traffic Traps Vehicles on Lokoja Road for Over 12 Hours

A Nigerian lady travelling from Abuja to Imo State for Christmas has gone viral after sharing a video showing a massive traffic gridlock on the Lokoja road, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded for several hours. The traveller, identified on TikTok as @celes_icmhomes, revealed that she left home as early as 6am but was still stuck in traffic as of 8pm on Saturday, December 20, 2025. The video captured cars and commercial buses unable to move forward or backward, highlighting the severity of the congestion. According to the lady, there was no clear cause for the gridlock, a claim that further frustrated viewers. The viral footage triggered widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians lamenting the poor condition of the Lokoja road, the presence of heavy-duty trucks, and the recurring travel chaos during festive seasons. Several commenters joked about travellers spending Christmas on the road, while others offered prayers for safety and called on the government to urgently fix the road infrastructure.

UPDATE ON ABUJA–LOKOJA ROAD

The FRSC Corps Marshal has ordered the deployment of additional officers and tow trucks along the Abuja–Lokoja Road to ease the ongoing traffic gridlock and ensure swift removal of obstructions.

He confirmed that the congestion is largely due to increased vehicular movement, ongoing construction points, as well as undisciplined and impatient drivers driving against traffic, urging motorists traveling within this season to cooperate with personnel on duty for smooth traffic flow.

Tragedy At Federal University Lokoja As 200-Level Biotechnology Student Dies After Snake Bite, Campus Thrown Into Mourning

The Federal University of Lokoja (FUL), Kogi State, has been plunged into grief following the tragic death of Favour, a 200-level Biotechnology student, who reportedly died after being bitten by a snake. The incident occurred on Thursday night at Itakeate Isao, under circumstances still being discussed within the university community. According to the Students’ Union Government (SUG), the student was immediately rushed to Isanlu General Hospital for emergency treatment but sadly did not survive. The heartbreaking news spread rapidly across campus, triggering shock and an outpouring of condolences from students, staff, and university officials. The SUG described the loss as devastating, extended sympathies to the bereaved family, and urged university authorities to urgently address safety concerns around student residential areas to prevent similar tragedies.

Kogi State makes security breakthrough

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has announced the recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition from criminal hideouts during recent joint security operations in the state.

The governor who made this known while briefing journalists in Lokoja explains that the operation followed a week long sustained intelligence gathering by security agencies, working in synergy with the state government.

FRSC RAISES AWARENESS ON SAFE DRIVING ACROSS IDENTIFIED CORRIDORS

The federal road safety corps (FRSC) has intensified public awareness campaigns on the need for safe, responsible and disciplined driving across nNgeria’s first six designated corridors, which experience heavy traffic flow during the festive season.

The awareness drive covers the Lagos–Ibadan–Egbeda;
Abuja city gate–airport road–Giri–Kubwa–AYA (FCT metropolis);
Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria;
Abuja–Lokoja–Zariagi;
Benin–Asaba–Awka; and
Shagamu–Ijebu Ode–ore–Benin corridors.

These routes, including about 50 other corridors serve as critical national arteries and record heightened vehicular movement as citizens travel to reunite with families and loved ones.

The corps marshal however warned that violation of traffic regulations along these corridors poses grave and far reaching dangers, as speeding, wrongful overtaking, lane indiscipline, drunk driving and disregard for traffic control devices significantly reduce reaction time and increase the severity of crashes. Such violations often result in loss of vehicle control, dangerous head on collisions, pedestrian knockdowns and multi vehicle pile ups that overwhelm emergency response efforts and leave families permanently devastated.

BREAKING: Troops of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army Lokoja have confirmed the successful rescue of six kidnapp€d victims of Ejiba community in Yagba East Local Council of Kogi State.

Troops Rescue Six Kidnap Victims in Successful Joint Operation Across Kogi Forests


Nigerian Army troops from the 12 Brigade in Lokoja have successfully rescued six kidnap victims during a coordinated search-and-rescue operation spanning the Ejiba and Saminaka forest axis in Kogi State. Supported by intensified air and ground offensives, including a Nigeria Police helicopter, the sustained pressure forced the bandits to release the abductees. Five victims have been reunited with their families, while one is receiving medical care. The Army reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating criminal hideouts and strengthening security across the state.


#KogiState #NigerianArmy #KidnapRescue #SecurityOperations #Banditry #NigeriaNews #TroopOperations #Ejiba #YagbaWest #YagbaEast #NationalSecurity

12 BRIGADE INTERCEPTS VEHICLE WITH CANNABIS IN KOGI

Troops of 12 Brigade Nigerian Army have successfully intercepted a vehicle, conveying substance, suspected to be Cannabis Sativa during its operations in Agbede, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations 12 Brigade Nigerian Army Lieutenant HASSAN ABDULLAHI in a press statement says,
306 parcels weighing 276 kilograms were recovered from the vehicle on 1st December 2025.

He explains that troops on patrol, intercepted a red Toyota Camry with registration number ABJ 325 LA transporting the substance from Ekiti to Borno State.

The driver, he said attempted to evade arrest upon sighting the check point but was eventually pursued and apprehended along the Apata–Lokoja road in Kogi.

The seized items and the driver have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Kogi State Command for further action.

12 BRIGADE TROOPS RESCUE 6 KIDNAPPED VICTIMS IN KOGI

12 Brigade Troops of the Nigerian Army, Lokoja have recorded another operational success with the rescue of six kidnapped victims during a coordinated search and rescue mission.

This time in Ejiba and Saminaka Forests axis, spanning Yagba East and Yagba West Local Government Areas of Kogi State.

A press statement by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations
12 Brigade Nigerian Army Lokoja Lieutenant HASSAN ABDULLAHI says, the operation is part of ongoing efforts to eliminate criminal activities in the State.

The statement further says, intensive air and ground offensives by troops, supported by the Nigeria Police helicopter, yielded results when troops deployed at Patrol Base Ejiba in Yagba West, intercepted the victims.

The rescued persons were found to have been released by the bandits following the sustained pressure by the joint operations.

Five of the rescued persons have been reunited with their families in Egbe and Ejiba communities of Yagba West Local Government Area while the sixth is currently receiving medical attention due to his condition at the point of rescue.

JUST IN: Troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have repelled bandits and rescued a k!dnapped victim during an operation around Oshokoshoko and Obajana in the Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Kogi Polytechnic Suspends Deputy Registrar, Others in Certificate Forgery Scandal.

A Deputy Registrar at the Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, is among nine members of a syndicate alleged to specialise in forging statements of results and educational certificates of the institution.

The Rector of the Polytechnic, Professor Usman Ogbo, disclosed this in Lokoja.

He said the Deputy Registrar whose name he declined to mention—and five other members of staff in the Exams and Records Unit of the Polytechnic identified as members of the syndicate have been suspended indefinitely.

He further stated that four other persons, including three students and a former student involved in the certificate and statement of results forgery case, have been identified and arrested.

Professor Ogbo said the suspects were identified through intelligence reports and routine verification exercises conducted by the Admission, ICT, and Security Units of the Polytechnic.

According to him, a detailed investigation was also launched in collaboration with relevant law enforcement agencies.

The Rector revealed that 30 statements of results bearing different names, ND and HND certificates, several fake official stamps, stamp pads, and admission letters bearing different names and programmes were recovered from the suspects.

The Rector, however, stated further that “Investigation revealed shocking levels of audacity and deceit.

“Some of the suspects forged National Diploma (ND) results in the name of Kogi State Polytechnic and had the temerity to apply for Higher National Diploma (HND) admission in the same institution using the forged ND results.

“Even more alarming, others forged both ND and HND results and had the gut to apply for the collection of original certificates for the same fabricated results.”

Without Yahaya Bello APC Will Lose Kogi In 2027 – Commissioner Warns.

Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Bashir Gegu, has warned that the All Progressives Congress (APC) might lose Kogi State in the 2027 general elections if President Bola Tinubu sidelines former Governor Yahaya Bello.

Gegu gave the warning at a political gathering at a Kogi Local Council.

He argued that Bello remains the architect of the state’s current political structure and a decisive factor in the ruling party’s continued dominance.

The speech, which he shared on his Facebook page, quoted the commissioner as saying, “If former Governor Yahaya Bello is not carried along, APC cannot win Kogi State. That is the plain truth.”

He dismissed social media’s criticism of a recent rally in Lokoja, insisting it was not about power play, but an expression of gratitude to Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for their leadership.

Gegu added, “The rally was a show of appreciation, not a protest. But let no one make the mistake, without Yahaya Bello, there’s no APC victory in Kogi.”

The commissioner credited Bello for laying the groundwork for political stability and federal visibility in the state, saying his influence still cuts across all districts.