Violence and forced migrations shake Kogi village to its core

A lawyer and community leader, Bakwo Ademu, has sounded the alarm over the escalating violence and mass displacement in Ochipu, an Igala community in Bassa Local Government Area of Kogi State, and is seeking urgent intervention from authorities to stop the "gruesome and inhuman" killings.

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Ademu has submitted separate petitions to Jibrin Isah Echocho and Ahmed Usman Ododo, dated March 24, 2026, detailing a series of attacks allegedly carried out by suspected Fulani assailants, as well as a controversial shooting involving military personnel, which has forced residents to flee their homes.

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The petitions paint a grim picture of a once-thriving rural community now reduced to a ghost town, with women, children, the elderly, and the sick taking refuge in neighbouring villages and bushes to escape the violence, as described by Ademu, who stated that "my mind bleeds and is livid with agony" while writing the appeal.

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Tensions escalated following an attack on March 12, 2026, along the Dekina-Agodo-Ochipu road, where three residents, Okoliko Mudi, Abalaka Sule, and Ikoh Makolo, were reportedly ambushed while returning from work, resulting in the death of Okoliko Mudi and severe injuries to the other two victims.

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Survivors of the attack reportedly identified the assailants as Fulani men, and Ademu alleged that the killing and dismemberment of Mudi's body triggered widespread fear and anxiety in the community, with no arrests or prosecutions made in connection with the incident.

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Ademu also cited earlier cases of violence in the area, including the killing of one Omiyaji Achogba in his residence and Ilemona Amodu on his farm, both allegedly by herders, which have contributed to the escalating tensions in the community.

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The situation took a more alarming turn on March 20, when military personnel reportedly entered Ochipu community at night under unclear circumstances, resulting in the death of a young man named Baba Zekeri, who was shot by a soldier while trying to confirm the identities of the military personnel.

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A soldier was also reportedly injured during the incident, and the following day, the Chairman of Bassa Local Government visited the community alongside security agents and appealed for calm, but Ademu alleged that soldiers returned in two Hilux vehicles and began shooting sporadically shortly after the chairman's departure.

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The gunfire struck a vehicle conveying the remains of the slain Baba Zekeri for burial, forcing mourners to abandon the corpse, which was later buried at night in a neighbouring community, as the violence and mayhem have led to the total desertion of Ochipu community.

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Displaced residents have fled to nearby towns including Okete, Dekina, Aloko, and Anyangba, with Ademu describing the situation as a humanitarian crisis and urging the senator and governor to take immediate steps to restore peace, ensure justice, and facilitate the safe return of displaced residents.

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Ademu has called on the authorities to initiate a high-level investigation into the killings, overhaul security architecture in Bassa LGA, and improve coordination between local authorities and military operations, as well as engage with traditional leaders and Fulani community heads to curb further violence and prevent reprisal attacks.

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He stressed that "the Constitution guarantees the fundamental rights of our people, including the right to life, dignity, and personal liberty, and any act or omission that compromises these rights requires urgent attention", and urged the government to ensure that members of the Ochipu community can return to their homes without fear of harassment or violence.

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As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from the offices of the senator or the Kogi State Government regarding the allegations made by Ademu in his petitions.