The Authorities in the Omala Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi State have taken drastic steps to address escalating security concerns by imposing a dusk-to-dawn curfew and placing severe restrictions on public gatherings.
The curfew, which spans from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., commenced on the 2nd of December and will remain in effect indefinitely.
The decision was announced by the Chairman of Omala LGA, Edibo Peter Mark, in a statement confirming the measures are urgent steps to protect lives and property within the council.
To enforce the order, the LGA has also initiated 24-hour security surveillance and patrols across all communities. Chairman Mark has directed security agencies to intensify checks at all entry points.
Regarding border control, he stated: “All border routes must undergo strict stop-and-search operations with the Joint Task Force fully deployed,” he said.
Restrictions on Worship and Festivals
In a significant move to strengthen safety, the council has also placed restrictions on religious and public activities.
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The Chairman explicitly suspended all large public gatherings: “All public gatherings, including Moulud, Christian vigils and similar programmes, are suspended until further notice,” according to the chairman.
Furthermore, festival fireworks are banned. Churches and mosques have been mandated to keep their worship hours brief, with Mark urging that:
“Sunday services and mosque prayers should be conducted quickly and closed on time,” he said.
Mark concluded by appealing to residents to strictly adhere to the new orders and collaborate fully with security agencies, noting that public cooperation is necessary to successfully restore peace across the council area.