By joshua Karimi Raises Alarm Over Terror Attacks In Kogi West, Urges State Police, Cashless Policy To Check Kidnapping
Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West Senatorial District, has raised a matter of personal explanation in the Senate over a wave of bandit and terrorist attacks in his constituency, saying the district has become an “epicenter” of kidnappings and killings in the last one week.
Rising under Order 42 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 as amended, Karimi told the Senate on Wednesday that not fewer than two major attacks were recorded in Kogi West between Monday, June 8 and Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
He said terrorists stormed Ode-Ere in Yagba West LGA on June 8 and killed a citizen in his home in broad daylight. Then at about 9:30 a.m. on June 10, bandits attacked Iluke-Bunnu in Kabba/Bunnu LGA, attempted to kidnap students writing the West African Senior School Certificate Examination, and killed the Vice Principal, a teacher, and a community member.
The lawmaker noted that a similar incident occurred at about 10 a.m. the same day in Suleja, Niger State, where terrorists abducted students during their SSCE exams.
Karimi said Kogi West has suffered multiple abductions in the past week alone. He listed: two wives and three children of the traditional ruler of Odai Bunnu abducted last week; a doctor, his wife and children kidnapped in Iluke Bunnu; two constituents killed in mass abductions in Ikoyi Ijumu about five days ago; and 30 people kidnapped in Aiyegunle Bunu, Kabba/Bunu LGA.
He added that terrorists have become emboldened, attacking motorists on the Lokoja-Obajana Highway and invading communities in Oworo land, Ogbabon, Oyo, Jakura, Kupa, Kakanda, and Kotonkarfe. In Odo-Ere, Yagba West LGA, he said more than two attacks were recorded within seven days.
“These innocent constituents have remained in thick forests in the hands of cold-hearted criminals without much hope of rescue. Families are left to suffer psychological trauma,” Karimi said.
Worried that the attacks threaten education, agriculture, and national progress, the senator warned that Nigerians may lose confidence in government’s ability to protect lives and property if urgent steps are not taken.
He therefore resolved and urged the Senate to: Consider a legal framework for sub-national/state police to complement federal security efforts and improve local response.
Direct the Federal Executive and CBN to issue financial circulars encouraging cashless transactions to stifle ransom payments to kidnappers.
Mandate the Ministry of Interior and Immigration Service to tighten border control to restrict movement of terrorists and arms.
He Call on sub-national governments to stop negotiations and peace accords with bandits, which he said are often used to fund terrorism.
Invite the Commander of the National Centre for Control of Arms and Small Weapons to brief the Senate on arms proliferation challenges.
Karimi also stressed that state governments must take more proactive steps to secure lives and give effect to local government financial autonomy, noting that national security is the business of all tiers of government.
The Senate President granted him leave to present the personal explanation. The Senate is expected to deliberate on the prayers in subsequent plenary.