Earlier today, I had a deep and honest conversation with a respected individual. The tone was heavy, filled with disappointment and worry. The topic? The worsening insecurity along the Lokoja/Koton Karfe expressway.
What used to be a busy and peaceful route has now become a death trap, especially around the Karara axis. Ironically, this is the same community that produced Hon. Danladi Suleiman Aguye, our representative in the House of Representatives, and Hon. Abdullahi Adamu, the Chairman of Lokoja Local Government. Despite their presence and influence, this area is now gripped by fear and terror.
By 7p.m. daily, commuters avoid the road out of fear of being kidnapped. Market days which come every four days and are lifelines for both Lokoja and Koto residents now carry a sense of dread. Traders, farmers and transporters who once relied on this corridor for survival now risk their lives just to make ends meet.
There have been reports that some kidnapped victims were rescued by local vigilantes, thanks to efforts coordinated by the local government Chairman. But how long can we keep operating with reactive measures instead of a comprehensive, proactive security strategy?
This situation is beyond what one person can solve alone. It requires true synergy among all elected officials from this axis. That includes not just Hon. Aguye and the Local Government Chairman, but also Hon. Umar Aliyu (Kogi state speaker), representing Lokoja II in the Kogi State House of Assembly and Hon. Idrees Aliyu, representing Kogi/Koton Karfe State Constituency.
These leaders are directly connected to the affected communities and must work hand in hand across ego lines to restore peace. There should be no divide between state and federal lawmakers when the lives of the people they represent are on the line.
The question remains; What has been done collectively to tackle this threat? Has a joint task force been set up? Have urgent motions been raised at the State and National Assemblies? Has a coordinated plan been submitted to the Governor’s office? Or are we still waiting for another tragedy to act?
We must also not forget the Senator representing Kogi West, Sen. Sunday Karimi whose jurisdiction includes this corridor. The recent kidnapping of an aged traditional ruler in Okunland, though resolved, should have sparked emergency action.
God forbid such horror reaches our own Federal Constituency but without proactive leadership, it’s not a matter of “if”but “when.”
We are not playing politics, we are not casting blame, we are demanding leadership. The people are suffering. They are scared. They feel abandoned. This is not a time for photo-ops or empty hope; it is a time for strategy, synergy and sacrifice.
We continue to believe in the potential and leadership of His Excellency Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo who has shown early signs of responsiveness. But now is the time to move beyond words. The state government must step up efforts; increase patrols, empower local vigilantes, deploy surveillance tools and bring all stakeholders to the table.
The leaders we elected must prove that they are not only present during campaign seasons but also during crises.
If any of our leaders, state or federal feel this matter is beyond their personal capacity, then they must have the humility to say so and seek support. No one loses respect by asking for help, but silence and inaction are unacceptable.
Our communities deserve to be safe. Our roads must be safe again. Our mothers, fathers, children and neighbors deserve peace.
Let synergy replace silence. Let action replace excuses. Let safety return to our land.
– Abdulkadir Bin ABDULMALIK writes from Lokoja.
