KOGI Archives - Afinju FM

Yahaya Bello Announces Intention to Contest Kogi Central Senate Position

Boluwatife Ajayi — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 08:56:00 +0000

Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has expressed his interest in contesting the Kogi Central Senatorial seat in the 2027 general election.

Bello made the declaration during a visit to the palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, where he met with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community stakeholders from the senatorial district, saying, “I accept to run for the Senate in 2027,” the former governor said while addressing the gathering.

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, was present at the event, alongside other political figures and community leaders.

According to newsmen, Ododo appealed to his predecessor to accede to calls from party leaders and constituents urging him to represent the district at the National Assembly.

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Kogi Govt Reaffirms Zero Negotiation Policy as Bandit Attacks Surge

Boluwatife Ajayi — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 15:53:49 +0000

The Kogi State government has reiterated its stance against negotiating with criminal elements amid rising incidents of kidnapping across the state.

Kogi, one of the North Central states grappling with increased criminal activity, has recorded several abductions in recent weeks.

Last week, armed bandits launched two separate attacks in Yagba East Local Government Area, though security operatives later rescued five abducted victims. Another incident occurred in Yagba West Local Government Area, where a pastor and his wife were seized during a church service.

Speaking on a national television, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, stated that the government would not bow to criminal pressure.

“In Kogi State, we don’t negotiate. The governor has made it clear that he will not bow to any criminal,” Fanwo said. “We have the capacity to take them out and deal with the situation, so we are not going to negotiate with any of them.”

Fanwo confirmed that two people were killed during an exchange of gunfire between security personnel and the kidnappers, expressing regret over the loss. He, however, noted that the government’s tough stance has deterred many criminal groups.

“We did not negotiate with any criminal, and we are not interested in doing so,” he emphasized.

The Commissioner added that the state will continue to deploy all available security resources to confront and eliminate criminal threats.

Source: Channels

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Kogi Assembly Suspends LG Chairman Over Misconduct Allegations

Afinju FM — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 15:55:49 +0000

Speaker Aliyu Yusuf made the announcement during the Assembly’s plenary session, confirming that Onuche’s actions were said to have damaged the image of the state government. As a result, the House decided to suspend him while an investigation into the allegations is carried out.

During this period, Onuche is required to hand over the administration of the local government to his deputy, Mrs. Victoria Okolo, until the probe concludes. The lawmakers stressed that the investigation would not be fair or thorough if Onuche remained in office.

A five-member committee has been set up to investigate the charges. The committee, led by Hon. Bode Ogunmola, who represents Ogori-Magongo, has been given a one-month deadline to complete its investigation and present a report. Other members of the committee include Hon. Ishaya Omotayo Adeleye (Ijumu), Hon. Asema Baba Haruna (Adavi), Hon. Anthony Ujah (Olamaboro), and Hon. Bin-Ebaiya Shehu Tijani (Lokoja 1), with Muhammed Bello serving as the committee’s clerk.

In other developments, Wednesday’s plenary saw three members of the Kogi House of Assembly defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The defectors include Bode Ogunmola (Ogori-Magongo), who left the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Idowu Ibikunle (Yagba East) from the ADC, and Sunday Daku (Bassa), also from the PDP.

Source: Punch

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Kogi Mourns as Boat Mishap Death Toll Increases

Afinju FM — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 10:09:57 +0000

According to reports, the victims, mostly traders were travelling from the Ibaji Local Government Area of Kogi State to the Ilushi market in neighbouring Edo State when the boat capsized on the evening of Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, confirmed the rising death toll and described the incident as a devastating loss.

“Reports indicate that the unfortunate incident has claimed the lives of not less than 26 passengers.
This is a heartbreaking loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased, as well as the entire Ibaji Local Government Area, in this moment of grief,” the statement read.

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and directed the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, and other relevant bodies to collaborate with local authorities to provide immediate relief and support to those affected.

The governor also reiterated his administration’s commitment to enhancing waterway safety in partnership with federal agencies. He stressed the importance of precautionary measures such as the use of life jackets and avoiding boat overloading, especially in riverine communities.

“The Government of Kogi State stands with the people of Ibaji LGA and will continue to support them through this difficult time,” the statement concluded.

The state government has urged citizens to remain vigilant and prioritize safety while travelling by water, as efforts continue to recover more bodies and prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Source: Channels

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Police Confirm Abduction of 12 Passengers in Kogi

Afinju FM — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 08:18:17 +0000

According to a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Aya, a combined team of police, military personnel, and local vigilantes managed to rescue eight of the victims, including the bus driver. Efforts are ongoing to locate and rescue the remaining four victims still held by the kidnappers.

“Kidnappers attacked a Big Joe Ventures Ltd Toyota Hiace commuter bus Edo FUG 13 XY along Okene–Auchi road. During the incident, the kidnappers abducted all 12 passengers commuting from Abuja to Benin in Edo State,” the statement read.

SP Aya noted that the Divisional Police Officer of Okene Division, CSP Nasir Muhammad, quickly mobilized a joint response team that included military units and vigilante groups to pursue the assailants.

“In the process, eight victims, including the driver, were rescued. Operations are still ongoing to ensure the safe recovery of the remaining four and to apprehend the perpetrators,” he added.

Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities as security operations continue in the area.

Source: Punch

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Kogi ADC: Dino Melaye Issues Stern Warning to Governor Ododo Over Alleged Attacks

Afinju FM — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 14:01:37 +0000

This was contained in a post shared on social media, Melaye accused some appointees of the governor of orchestrating these attacks and called on Ododo to rein them in. He warned that any further provocation would be met with what he described as a “superior response.”

“I call on Governor Ododo to call his appointees to order,” Melaye wrote. “Henceforth, any attack on ADC offices and members in the state will be matched with superior responses.”

Senator Natasha Set To Resume, National Assembly Opens Office

Afinju FM — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 13:05:16 +0000

The Deputy Director of the Sergeant-at-Arms, Alabi Adedeji, unsealed the office, paving the way for the Kogi Central Senator to return to the Red Chamber when plenary resumes.

“To unseal Senator Natasha Akpoti’s office, I, Alabi Adedeji, Deputy Director, Sergeant-at-Arms, hereby unseal the office,” said the Sergeant-at-Arms before unlocking the door to the office, which had been under seal for six months.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended by the Senate for six months over alleged violations of its standing rules.

The suspension, recommended by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, also stripped her of aides, office privileges and salaries.

Source: Channels

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NASS Replies Akpoti-Uduaghan Over Threat To Sue Clerk

Afinju FM — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 09:58:57 +0000

NASS disclosed this in a statement signed by its Director of Information, Bullah Bi-Allah, in response to threats by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer, Michael Numa (SAN), to sue the Clerk if the senator is not allowed to resume her legislative duties.

The National Assembly maintained that while Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan had written to the Clerk to indicate her readiness to resume, her request should have been directed to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, in line with established protocol.

The NASS statement followed a letter addressed to the Office of the Clerk by Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer demanding that the senator resume her duties without any obstruction.

The lawyer warned that failure to comply would attract legal action and thereafter advised the Clerk to reconsider his stance and allow the senator to resume without any hindrance.

The Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Yahaya Danzaria, had earlier written to Akpoti-Uduaghan informing her that she cannot resume even after the expiration of her suspension because the matter is in court, and that her return can only follow a Senate review or the conclusion of the judicial process.

Source: PremiumTimes

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Nigerian Army Neutralises Bandits Second-In-Command In Kogi

Afinju FM — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 11:25:52 +0000

According to report, the bandit leader was the second-in-command to Kachala Shuaibu, leader of a gang operating within Masalaci Boka and Ofere Forest areas of Kogi State.

The development comes barely a week after troops recorded a similar feat, neutralising another commander, Kachalla Balla, alongside five of his gang members in a breakthrough against banditry in the state.

A statement issued in Lokoja by Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 12 Brigade, Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi, confirmed that the operation was carried out by troops under Operation Accord III.

The statement reads, “On 11 September 2025, following credible intelligence on the movement of bandits within Ofere Forest and Ayetoro Gbede general area, the combined troops laid an ambush at a suspected bandit crossing point. Although initial contact was not made, the troops, while withdrawing to base, ran into an ambush staged by the criminals along their route.

He added that the troops later exploited the area and recovered one fully loaded magazine, 31 mobile phones, a blood pressure machine, packs of Tramadol tablets, fetish charms, and ₦16,000 cash. Bloodstains at the scene indicated that several bandits escaped with gunshot wounds.

According to Abdullahi, “Troops of 12 Brigade under Operation ACCORD III continue to dominate the area of responsibility with patrols and ambushes aimed at totally decimating bandits and other criminal elements within Kogi State. The morale and fighting efficiency of the troops remain high as they sustain unrelenting pressure on the criminals.”

He assured that the Nigerian Army remains determined to restore lasting peace and security in Kogi State and urged citizens to provide timely and credible information to support ongoing operations.

Source: Punch

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Senate Rejects Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Bid to Resume Legislative Duties

Afinju FM — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 08:33:59 +0000

In a letter signed by the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, the Senate acknowledged receiving notification from Akpoti-Uduaghan regarding her intention to return to plenary. However, it clarified that her suspension remains active and that no administrative action would be taken until the Court of Appeal delivers its verdict on the matter.

The Senate reiterated that the suspension, which began in early March, is tied to a resolution passed following allegations of insubordination. The senator was accused of defying a directive to change her designated seat during a plenary session, an act that led to the recommendation for disciplinary action by the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions.

As part of the sanction, Akpoti-Uduaghan was stripped of her office privileges, aides, and salaries. She has consistently maintained that the suspension was politically motivated, linking it to her earlier petition accusing the Senate President of sexual harassment, a claim the Senate dismissed as baseless.

Her legal counsel stated that the senator had concluded plans to resume duties, claiming the six-month suspension had elapsed. She is currently out of the country but was expected to return in time for the resumption of plenary later this month.

Despite her claims of securing a court judgment in her favour, the Senate maintains that the matter remains sub judice and cannot be addressed administratively until the judiciary rules conclusively.

A previous attempt by the senator to access the National Assembly ended in a standoff, with security operatives blocking her entry amid support from a crowd of loyalists.

The Senate has stated it will only review the suspension after the court issues its pronouncement.

Source: Punch

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