By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has ordered 50 armoured fighting vehicles to support security agencies in ongoing operations against banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.

Speaking while inspecting the first batch of the vehicles at the Government House in Lokoja, the governor said the acquisition is part of his administration’s efforts to enhance security and protect lives and property.

Ododo said the deployment of the vehicles would improve the operational capacity of security personnel, particularly in vulnerable communities facing security threats.The governor disclosed that he recently briefed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the security situation in Kogi State and received support to intensify efforts against criminal activities.

According to him, security operatives recently repelled attacks by armed groups in parts of the state, while one suspected criminal kingpin, identified as Batijo, was reportedly killed during security operations.

Ododo said he visited Iluke community to assess security challenges firsthand and emphasized the need for proactive measures to prevent future attacks. He noted that intelligence reports suggest some criminal groups are adopting more sophisticated tactics, including the use of drones for surveillance.

The governor commended the military, police, Department of State Services (DSS), local hunters and other security personnel for their efforts in combating crime. “We have ordered 50 armoured fighting vehicles. The first batch of five has been delivered, while additional units will arrive in the coming weeks,” he said.

Ododo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to combating insecurity and reiterated its policy against negotiating with or paying ransom to kidnappers and bandits.

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

Rev. Kallamu Musa Ali Dikwa, Director General of the Centre for Justice on Religious and Ethnicity in Nigeria, has issued a security alert alleging planned attacks on Christian communities in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Southern Borno State, particularly Dille and Lassa districts, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement dated June 11, 2026, Rev. Dikwa alleged that terrorist groups, including Boko Haram and ISWAP, are planning coordinated attacks before, during and after the elections, similar to past incidents in parts of the state, including Gwoza in 2014, which led to displacement of residents.

He further claimed that the planned attacks could involve the burning of houses belonging to prominent individuals and churches previously rebuilt after earlier violence, as well as killings and further displacement of residents.

According to him, the attackers may disguise themselves in civilian JTF or military-style uniforms to create confusion and appear as security personnel. He also alleged that Chibok and Hawul Local Government Areas could remain under similar threat.

Rev. Dikwa also expressed concern over what he described as inadequate responses from some local leaders, alleging that warnings are sometimes dismissed or misinterpreted instead of being acted upon.

He further claimed that international attention had been drawn to the activities of terrorist groups in Nigeria following information he said was shared with foreign authorities, while also alleging that the Federal Government was attempting to downplay the situation.

The cleric called for stronger preventive action to address insecurity in affected communities and expressed hope that urgent intervention would stop what he described as continued threats against residents.

He signed the statement as Director General of the Centre for Justice on Religious and Ethnicity in Nigeria and provided contact telephone numbers.

Security agencies had not issued an official response to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.

By Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu

A section of the Aba–Ikot Ekpene Highway, particularly the stretch between Ntigha Ukpakiri and Ohanze in Abia State, has in recent times become a scene of repeated fatal accidents, raising serious concern among residents and road users.

The approximately three-kilometre corridor, according to community accounts, has recorded over ten deaths within the past year alone. Families in Ntighauzo Amairi and Amaise Umuokere Ngwa communities are among those who have reportedly lost loved ones in the recurring incidents, including young men described by residents as promising and vibrant members of their communities.

For many residents, the affected portion of the highway has become a dreaded passage, often described in grim terms as a “death trap” due to the frequency of accidents and loss of lives.

The situation has also sparked emotional reactions among members of the surrounding communities, who say the recurring tragedies have created fear and uncertainty for those who depend on the road for daily transportation and economic activities.

In response to the growing concerns, a socio-cultural group, Agalaba Full Squad, drawn from the Obingwa East axis, has organised a prayer summit involving clergy, community leaders, and residents to seek divine intervention over the persistent accidents.

The convener of the group, Evangelist Lowell Chizuru Odoemelam, said the situation had reached a critical point, arguing that prayers must complement practical efforts to address the recurring fatalities.

He referenced the biblical passage 2 Chronicles 7:14 as the guiding scripture for the gathering, urging collective spiritual intervention for peace and safety on the road.

Beyond the spiritual dimension, community members are also calling on the Federal Government and relevant authorities to urgently complete the dualisation of the affected section of the highway. They further appealed for the installation of additional safety measures, including speed control mechanisms, improved signage, and stricter enforcement of traffic regulations to prevent further loss of lives.

Residents maintain that only a combination of infrastructure upgrades and strict road safety enforcement can halt what they describe as a disturbing pattern of avoidable carnage on the highway.

Ukegbu is a public affairs analyst and writes from Aba, Abia State.