Authorities in Kogi State have taken a firm stand against rising criminal activities by shutting down two major cattle markets in the Kabba-Bunu and Ijumu Local Government Areas (LGAs). The closures, affecting the Zango Cattle Markets in Iyara and Odolu, come in response to persistent security threats, including kidnapping, banditry, and violent attacks.
Kabba-Bunu LGA Chairman, Dare Zacchaeus, explained the gravity of the situation, warning that displaced herders from the affected markets attempting to resettle in the area would face “stiff resistance and legal actions.” He further emphasized that those violating security protocols would be prosecuted under the law.
Zacchaeus issued a stern warning to traditional rulers involved in illegal land transactions with unidentified herders, stressing that such practices endanger regional security. He cautioned that any ruler found guilty of such actions risked dethronement and prosecution.
To strengthen security measures, Zacchaeus mandated that any property sale within the LGA must receive prior approval from the local council. Sellers must provide detailed bio-data of prospective buyers, with non-compliance resulting in arrest and prosecution for abetting terrorism. He extended this directive to community chiefs suspected of facilitating land sales to unknown individuals, asserting that they too would be held accountable.
In Ijumu LGA, Chairman Alhaji Haruna Ibrahim announced the closure of the Zango Cattle Market in Iyara, citing intelligence reports that linked the market to criminal hideouts. He declared that security agencies had been deployed to enforce the closure and prevent further threats.
Ibrahim reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, warning that any individual or group attempting to undermine government efforts would face severe legal consequences. He reiterated the importance of eliminating criminal elements tarnishing the region’s reputation, particularly amid the escalating concerns over kidnapping and banditry.
With both LGAs now under heightened surveillance, security forces are actively monitoring the situation to ensure peace and stability. The decision to shut down the markets is seen as a critical move in the fight against crime, and local leaders have urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security operatives to maintain order in the region.
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