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From Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja
Residents of Obajana where the gigantic Dangote Cement factory was located were on panic mode on Sunday night as terrorists in their hundreds invaded the community and shot sporadically for more than six hours.
The terrorists were said to be aiming the divisional Police Station and the Operational Base of security agents who launched a virile attacks on bandits in the area recently.
Scores of residents who spoke with our Correspondent expressed serious grief over the incident with some of them blaming the state government for not making any deliberate efforts in checking the influx of criminals and bandits into the state through the numerous trucks of cement companies that operate in the state.
They claimed that these trucks drivers have brought large numbers of Foreign Nationals from Niger Republic, Chad , Mali and Senegal with large consignment of arms into the state without being checked by the state government which have constituted a serious threats to peace loving people in the state.
They therefore called on the state government to immediately inaugurate a security committee including Army , DSS, Police and members of Vigilante to mount a daily surveillance on the major roads especially from the north leading to Kogi to stop and search any trucks or vehicles carrying foreign Nationals or questionable characters and consignments into the state.
Obajana and iluhagba communities where two cement companies operate are said to be havens of these illegal Foreign Nationals and street Urchins from the far North.
It was learnt however that the Sunday attacks by the terrorists was repelled by the joint efforts of the Army, Police, Vigilante members and the traditional hunters in the area.
Confirming the incident in a press statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, Willy Aya claimed ‘the Nigeria Police Force has foiled an attempted attack on the Obajana Operational Base by suspected criminal elements and successfully arrested several suspects’.
He said on 10th January, 2026, the Nigeria Police Force conducted a clearance and aggressive operation, supported by the Nigeria Police Force Air Wing through precision airstrikes, across identified flashpoints, hideouts, and assembly points known to be frequented by bandits and other criminal elements within Kogi State.
He said the operation recorded significant success, which is believed to have provoked sleeper cells of the hoodlums.
“In a bid to retaliate, the criminal elements attempted to launch an attack on assets and facilities at the Obajana Operational Base. However, the attempt was swiftly repelled as Police operatives on duty conducted a coordinated counter-drill, effectively neutralising and degrading the assailants.
“As a result of the operation, several suspects were arrested, many of whom sustained varying degrees of gunshot injuries during the exchange. Law enforcement actions are ongoing to track and apprehend other fleeing suspects, as well as to unravel the source and motive behind the attack on the Police Operational Base.
“The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Special Operation in Kogi State, AIG Alonyenu F. Idu, accompanied by the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, psc, mni, visited the scene for an on-the-spot assessment.
“During the visit, the AIG commended and motivated the officers and men at the Operational Base, urging them to sustain their courage, vigilance, and professionalism in the ongoing onslaught against banditry and other criminal activities in the State.
‘The Nigeria Police Force reassures the good people of Kogi State, particularly residents of Obajana and its environs, that sustained security operations currently ongoing will be intensified and sustained until all criminal syndicates are completely dismantled.
“Members of the public are encouraged to support the Police by providing timely and useful information and to promptly report suspicious movements, strange persons, or groups to the nearest law enforcement agency. Such cooperation remains vital to sustaining peace, safety, and harmony across the State” the statement stressed.
