Youths in Odo Ape community, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, Kogi State, blocked the Lokoja-Kabba federal highway on Saturday following the killing of two farmers by suspected kidnappers.
The gunmen attacked the community on Friday, 3rd January 2025, fatally shooting two individuals on their farms. One of the victims, identified as Mr Black, was reportedly transporting his farm produce to the market for Saturday’s trading when he was shot dead for allegedly refusing to stop when ordered by the gunmen.
The gunmen also opened fire on Sunday Aiyedero, who was working in a nearby farm, resulting in his immediate death.
The protesting youths blocked the highway at 8:00 AM on Saturday, bringing vehicular traffic to a standstill for several hours. “It took the intervention of security operatives, vigilantes, and concerned citizens to clear the roadblock and restore order,” stated a motorist who encountered the irate youths that morning.
Locals expressed deep concern over the gruesome murder of the two farmers, describing the recent security incidents as unbearable. This double killing comes just a month after gunmen attacked the community, kidnapping the newly elected ward councillor and eight others.
Residents described the security situation in Odo Ape and its surrounding areas as alarming, urging the federal and state governments, along with security agencies, to address the deteriorating security conditions.
Kabba-Bunu Local Government Chairman, Barrister Zacchaeus Dare, called upon the community to cooperate with security operatives by providing credible intelligence to enable effective intervention and end the persistent attacks.
“We have deployed military, police, hunters and local vigilantes to restore peace and we assure our people that we would not relent until those criminal elements are kicked out of our environment,” he stated.
