Kogi State Government yesterday directed that all social, religious, and community activities across the state must terminate by 4pm daily.
Governor Ahmed Ododo gave the directive in Lokoja during an expanded state security council meeting.
He said the order takes immediate effect and be in place till further notice.
According to the governor, any events or religious venue that flouted the directive will be demolished and the culprits arrested.
The restriction, he said, was in the interest of all residents regardless of religious or political affiliation, adding that intelligence available to security agencies showed that social and religious gatherings were soft targets for terrorists.
The meeting, attended by representatives of security agencies, traditional rulers and other stakeholders, came amid rising public anxiety over reports of bandits presence in parts of the state.
The Nation reports that the directives came on the heels of incursions into Kogi by terrorists fleeing military onslaught in Kwara and Niger states.
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Sources revealed that some of the criminals infiltrated Kogi two nights ago, a move that has witnessed major offensive from security forces.
Ododo who confirmed the presence of terrorists’ commanders in Kogi in the last three days, assured residents that the government was confronting the criminals.
Ododo reassured the people that the present administration was working in synergy with traditional rulers, religious leaders, security agencies, and youth to tackle insecurity in the state.
He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his proactive leadership in the recent rescue of kidnapped students and church members, saying the federal government has shown commitment to tackling insecurity nationwide.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ayo Edun, called for calm, insisting that many of the circulating reports fueling panic were social media rumours.
He urged residents to verify information before sharing it, adding that suspicious activities should be reported through circulated security hotlines.
The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, His Royal Highness Tijani Anaje, speaking on behalf of traditional rulers, pledged full cooperation with government and security agencies.
He dismissed some videos and messages circulating on social media as false, calling for strategic collaboration among all community leaders to ensure peace across the state.
In his reaction, state Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria
(CAN), Pastor Adebayo Emmanuel Olaniyan, called on all churches in the state to adhere strictly to the directive as issued by the government.
Relatedly, the Public Relations Officer, Kogi State University, Kabba, Oshaloto, refuted reports of an attack in the school.
“There was nothing like that in our institution today. Everywhere was calm and students were going about their activities without hindrance,” he said on the phone last night.
Spokesman for the police command, CSP William Aya equally debunked existence of such video, insisting “there was nothing like that.”
