Group Urges Urgent Review Of Security Lockdown in Kogi West

By Dada Ahmed in Lokoja.

The closure of markets and motor parks in Kogi West Senatorial District has triggered growing concern over its economic impact, even as authorities maintain the measures are necessary to curb rising insecurity in the area.

In a statement issued on April 1, 2026 and a copy made available to The Reporters in Lokoja, the Executive Director of the Conscience for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR), Idris Miliki Abdul, urged the Kogi State Government to urgently reassess the policy, noting that it is taking a toll on rural livelihoods.

Our correspondent reports that the closures, being part of proactive security strategies by the state government,were introduced in response to threats posed by violent non-state actors operating within parts of the state.

According to security experts violent non-state actors are individuals or groups that use violence to achieve their goals but are not part of any official government or state security force.

The experts have long identified such actors as a major challenge to public safety and political stability, particularly at sub-national levels across Nigeria.

While acknowledging the government’s constitutional responsibility to safeguard lives and property, Abdul stressed that the continued shutdown of key economic hubs,especially in agrarian communities,has disrupted daily commercial activities and weakened local economies.

“These markets and motor parks serve as critical lifelines for rural dwellers whose survival depends largely on farming and periodic trade.

“Their closure is negatively affecting both income generation and access to essential goods,”he said.

The conflict resolution expert noted that although security decisions are often based on intelligence available to authorities, the welfare implications for citizens must be given equal consideration.

This he said is in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which places citizens’ welfare and security as the primary duty of government.

The CHRCR boss further warned that the situation could worsen as the rainy season approaches,a critical period he observed is for agricultural activities, adding farmers and traders need to have access to markets and transportation networks.

Abdul urged the state government to strike a balance between maintaining security and protecting economic stability by reviewing the restrictions and considering phased or conditional reopening of the affected facilities.

The human rights expert further urged the state government to intensify community-based initiatives, including stakeholders’ meetings and non-kinetic strategies, noting that such measures would go a long way in effectively curbing insecurity in the district to the barest minimum.