In a decisive push against rising insecurity, the Kogi State Government has deployed operatives of the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade to Olle-Bunu in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area to stem the tide of banditry threatening the area and its environs.

The deployment, which followed credible intelligence reports of fleeing armed bandits attempting to infiltrate the community, was formalized during a strategic visit by the State Security Adviser, Commander Duro Jerry Omodara (Rtd), who delivered a clear message: Kogi will not cede an inch of its territory to criminals.

The move is part of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s comprehensive and aggressive approach to securing lives and property across the state.

With major flashpoints like Odo-Ape already sealed off through joint operations of the military, hunters, and vigilante groups, Olle-Bunu had emerged as a potential escape corridor for displaced criminal elements.

Commander Omodara, addressing traditional rulers, youth leaders, and community stakeholders during the visit, warned that anyone aiding or abetting criminals—be it as informants, transporters, or harborers—would be treated as an enemy of the state.

“This deployment is not just about chasing bandits. It’s a strong message that wherever they run, we will follow. Our communities must be safe for development, safe for our children, and safe for our future,” he said.

The Nigerian Army has since established a temporary forward operations base in the community and ramped up patrols and surveillance.

With major flashpoints like Odo-Ape already sealed off through joint operations of the military, hunters, and vigilante groups, Olle-Bunu had emerged as a potential escape corridor for displaced criminal elements

Major Usman Mohammed, who represented the Brigade Commander, reiterated the army’s readiness to confront threats and praised the government for its support.Community members welcomed the intervention.

Speaking on behalf of the Olle-Bunu people, Elder John Ebajemito pledged full cooperation with security forces and thanked Governor Ododo for his proactive leadership.

“This government has shown that security is not negotiable. We will work hand-in-hand with the army to ensure no criminal finds refuge in Olle-Bunu,” he assured.

The Kogi State Government has also urged citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements. According to the Security Adviser, community intelligence remains the soul of effective security, and every citizen has a role to play.

The deployment underscores Governor Ododo’s zero-tolerance stance on insecurity, and his unwavering commitment to making every community in Kogi State safe and secure.

“Let no criminal feel safe. Let no informer sleep in peace. This is our home. We must defend it together,” Commander Omodara declared.

• NGE President, Mr. Eze Anaba

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and the European Union (EU) are collaborating through a one-day training programme for editors and media executives to stem the negative impact of fake news, disinformation and misinformation in the Nigeria media landscape.

In a statement signed by the NGE President, Mr. Eze Anaba and the General- Secretary, Mr Onuoha Ukeh, the Guild said that the training programme, taking place in Lagos (July 25, 2025), with institutional support by the EU, is informed by the growing concern that fake news has a huge capacity to damage the credibility of journalists and the media, if not checked.‘

’The EU and the NGE will organize a one-training programme for editors and media executives across different media platforms.

The objective of the programme is to equip editors with the necessary skills and knowledge required to identify and debunk misinformation, fake news, disinformation, promoting accurate/trustworthy reporting, and imbibing the discipline of verification in news reporting – in the Nigerian media industry’, the NGE stated.

Giving a background and justification to the programme, the professional body of editors and media executives in Nigeria said that the spread of misinformation, fake news and disinformation has become a major concern in Nigeria, with fake news and propaganda threatening to undermine the credibility of the mass media and the stability of the country.

It added: ‘’It is a common knowledge that editors/media executives play a critical role – in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the information published in their respective media organizations.‘’

However, recent experiences have proved that editors need the necessary technical skills and training to effectively identify and debunk misinformation.’’

The Guild explained further that the proliferation of social media and other digital platforms has made it easier for misinformation and fake news to spread quickly, often with devastating consequences.

According to the Guild, ‘’the Nigerian media industry requires accurate and trustworthy reporting to promote informed decision-making, stability and holding government at all levels to account.

Editors play a critical role in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the information published in their respective media outfits.’’

On the expected outcomes of the training programme, the NGE said it aims to improve fact-checking skills and knowledge to effectively identify and debunk misinformation; enhance accuracy and reliability of reporting in the Nigerian media landscape.

Targeting 50 editors from various media houses, including print, online, and broadcast media, the statement added that the programme is expected to promote informed decision-making among the Nigerian public through access to accurate and trustworthy information.

Those to make presentations at the programme are Mr. Azu Isiekwene, Executive Vice Chairman/Editor-in-Chief, LEADERSHIP Newspapers and Dr. David Ajikobi, Executive Director, Africa Check.

They will treat such topics as “Principles of Fact-Checking: Understanding the Role of Editors in Fact-checking And the Principles of Accuracy, Fairness, and Transparency;” Identifying Misinformation and Disinformation: Analyzing Examples of Misinformation, Desinformation and Fake News” and “Fact-Checking Tools and Resources: Overview of Fact-checking Tools; Analyzing Complex Fact-checking Scenarios.

“The statement said that the EU Ambassador to Nigeria/ECOWAS, His Excellency, Gautier Mignot, will declare the training program open after a brief remarks.

For: Nigerian Guild of EditorsEze AnabaPresident, NGE Onuoha UkehGeneral Secretary, NGE

Twelve suspected kidnappers and one informant have been arrested in a coordinated security operation carried out across parts of Kogi and Kwara States.

This was disclosed on Tuesday by the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo through a press statement made available to newsmen.

He said the suspects were apprehended during a series of raids jointly executed by the Hybrid Force from the Office of the National Security Adviser and Officers and Men of the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Egbe.

The operations covered Isanlu-Esa and Okoloke in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, and Patigi, Lafiagi and Gbugbu in Kwara State.

The statement identified the suspected kidnappers as Mainasara Abubakar, Sadik Abubakar, Jude Sani, Sanda Abubakar, Lawali Usman, Tukur Shehu, Hassan Abubakar, Kabiru Surajo, Makiri Dodo, Bala Hassan, Umaru Sanda, and Ruwa Abubakar. Also arrested was Rabiu Makeri, who is believed to be an informant for the gang.

According to the statement, the security forces engaged the suspects in a fierce gun battle, during which some of the kidnappers fled, abandoning their motorcycles and kidnap victims. Several kidnapped women were successfully rescued during the confrontation.

“We want to thank the gallant officers from the Office of the National Security Adviser and our men at the FOB, Egbe for their courage and professionalism. We also commend the Kwara State Government for their cooperation, which has yielded this outstanding result,” the statement read.

“Peace has returned to Kogi West as the criminal route from Kwara into our communities has now been disrupted. There will be no hiding place for the criminals. One of the security agents who confronted the kidnappers was shot and he is currently receiving medical treatment at an undisclosed hospital in Yagba West Local Government Area of the State. The Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alh. Ahmed Usman Ododo has offered to cover all the costs of treatment”, he said.

The Commissioner further assured the public that the arrested suspects will face full prosecution after investigations, reaffirming the state’s zero-tolerance stance on criminality.

In a separate remark, the Executive Chairman of Yagba West LGA and ALGON Chairman for Kogi State, Hon. Tosin Olokun, expressed gratitude to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for providing the logistics and support that enabled the success of the operation.

“Governor Ododo promised to restore peace to Yagba West and Yagba as a whole. Today, he has backed those words with decisive action. We can now heave a sigh of relief. The people of Yagba are grateful for his leadership and the results it is delivering,” Olokun said.

The Kogi State Government emphasized its ongoing commitment to working with federal and regional partners to ensure the safety and security of all communities within the state.