Kogi State, Nigeria – January 2, 2026
Youths in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State were dispersed with teargas by police on Friday while protesting the escalating wave of killings, kidnappings, and abandoned communities in the region.
The demonstrators, mostly from Bunuland, blocked a major road during their peaceful protest, chanting solidarity songs and holding placards with messages like “Bunuland Bleeds” and “Why Should We Ask for Permission to Live?”
One of the protesters told SUNTV Global, “We have 44 communities in Bunuland, and most of them are deserted. Places like Kayetoro, Kiri, Ole, and others have seen repeated killings. In Ole alone, three people were murdered recently, and many more have died over time.”
Fear and insecurity, the protester added, have forced residents to flee their ancestral homes. “There is nobody left in these communities. The police are here now, firing teargas at us, but we are resolute. We will not leave until urgent action is taken.”
The protest, however, was eventually disrupted when police fired multiple rounds of tear gas, clearing the road.
This demonstration reflects growing frustration among residents of Kabba-Bunu and neighboring areas, who accuse authorities of failing to protect lives and property amid rampant killings, kidnappings, and farmland occupations.
Recent reports highlight the worsening security situation. On December 30, 2025, several people were reportedly abducted along Omi-Odo Ara Road in Yagba West Local Government Area. Additionally, a Sunday night raid in Odo-Ere community resulted in the abduction of at least four residents, including Engr. Shina Ajere, Mr. Kehinde Afolabi, Damilola Ogun, and a woman known locally as Iya Lara.
Witnesses described the attack as terrifying, with gunmen moving house-to-house and firing sporadically. Some buildings bore bullet marks, though attackers were unable to enter all targeted apartments. The total number of abducted residents remains uncertain, heightening fears of more victims.
SUNTV Global will continue following this developing story, bringing updates as authorities respond to the growing crisis in Kogi State.
