Youths from Odo Ape community in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State blocked the Lokoja-Kabba federal highway on Saturday to protest the killing of two farmers by suspected kidnappers.
The protest began at 8 am, causing hours of gridlock on the busy road. A motorist who encountered the protesters reported that security operatives, vigilantes, and concerned individuals eventually cleared the barricade and restored order.
The community was thrown into mourning on Friday after the gruesome murder of two farmers on their farms. A victim, identified as Mr. Black, was reportedly shot dead by gunmen while transporting farm produce to the market. Another farmer, Sunday Aiyedero, was killed instantly on a nearby farm.
The killings occurred barely a month after gunmen attacked the community and kidnapped a newly elected ward councillor.
Residents described the security situation in Odo Ape as alarming and called on the government and security agencies to intervene urgently.
The Chairman of Kabba-Bunu Local Government, Barrister Zacchaeus Dare, appealed to the community to provide credible intelligence to aid security operatives. He assured residents that efforts to restore peace were underway, with military, police, hunters, and vigilantes deployed to combat the attacks.
