The Kogi State Government has announced the temporary closure of selected markets and motor parks across parts of Kogi West Senatorial District as part of intensified security operations aimed at flushing out terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements operating within the state.

In a statement yesterday, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said the measure is in support of ongoing clearance operations being carried out in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and heads of security agencies in the state.

According to the government, the temporary closure is intended to cut off logistics, restrict the movement of consumables and deny criminal elements and their informants access to food supplies and other forms of support during the security exercise.

The directive affects selected communities across seven local councils of the state, including Lokoja, Kabba-Bunu, Yagba West, Yagba East, Kogi, Mopamuro and Ijumu, where markets and motor parks will remain closed for the duration of the operation.

The government emphasised that the action is strictly temporary and will be lifted immediately after the successful conclusion of the security operations.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, has advised residents of affected communities to comply fully with the directive.

In a statement issued in Lokoja yesterday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, the police said the directive was issued in support of ongoing security operations being undertaken in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and other security agencies.

The commissioner urged residents, traders and transport operators in the affected areas to adhere strictly to the directive for the duration of the operations.