2.1.3. Kogi

2.1.3. Kogi

Kogi state is comprised of the following 21 LGAs: Adavi, Ajaokuta, Ankpa, Bassa, Dekina, Ibaji, Idah, Igalamela-Odolu, Ijumu, Kabba/Bunu, Kogi, Lokoja, Mopa-Muro, Ofu, Ogori/Magongo, Okehi, Okene, Olamaboro, Omala, Yagba East, Yagba West.375 The capital city is Lokoja. 376

The main ethnic groups are Igala (including the Ogugu subgroup), Ebira, and Okun. Other minorities include Bassa, Nupe (mainly in Lokoja), Gwari, Kakanda, Oworo, Ogori Magongo and the Eggan community.377

UNFPA and the US Census Bureau projected the population at 4 466 801 in 2022, based on figures from the 2006 census.378

a) Conflict dynamics and main actors

For a general overview on actors in Nigeria, please see section 1.1 Main Actors.

According to a report by Nextier, 68 kidnap victims were recorded in Kogi in 2024,379 while according to SBM Intelligence, 80 people were kidnapped in 2024.380 Kidnappers often demanded ransom.381 Data from the Nigeria Risk Index, cited by a June 2025 article by The Journal Nigeria ranked Kogi state ‘among the top five states affected by kidnapping nationwide.’382 Cases of kidnapping were for example reported in February,383 August,384 November,385 and December 2024,386 and in February,387 March,388 April,389 and May 2025.390 In May 2025, the Punch Newspaper reported that Kogi was affected by a ‘spate of kidnappings’ in the previous weeks.391

According to an April 2025 article by Nigerian newspaper The Sun, 57 people were killed by bandits, herders or criminal groups between November 2024 and April 2025.392 Deadly attacks by bandits were for example reported in January and April 2024,393 and in January 2025.394 Violence linked to conflicts between herders and farmers included incidents in April 2024 in Omala LGA395 and in November 2024 in Ijumu LGA.396

SBM Intelligence noted in July 2025 that Kogi was affected by gang activity, describing the state as ‘notable hotspot’ within the North-Central zone.397

In October 2024, a lawmaker pointed to an inter-tribal crisis that had broken out in 2016 in Bassa LGA, mentioning that several persons were killed by unknown gunmen, including in October 2024.398

b) Security incidents and impact on the population

In the period between 1 January 2024 and 31 August 2025, ACLED recorded 115 security incidents in Kogi state, which resulted in 98 fatalities. Of these security incidents, 30 were coded as battles, 8 as riots and 77 as incidents of violence against civilians.399

Security incidents were recorded by ACLED in 20 LGAs of the state, with the highest numbers documented in Lokoja (25 incidents), Yagba West (15 incidents), Kabba (14 incidents), Ofu (9 incidents), Adavi, Dekina and Omala LGAs (6 incidents each). No incidents were recorded in one LGA (Ogori). According to ACLED, unidentified armed groups and Kogi communal militias (coded as either ‘Actor1’ or ‘Actor2’) were involved in the majority of incidents coded as violence against civilians.401

Conflict-related infrastructure damage - Farm produce was destroyed in attacks by bandits in April 2024402 and in November 2024 armed men damaged a power transformer in Obajana.403 A February 2025 article by the Daily Post mentions the destruction of property in the conflict between communities in Bassa LGA.404

Road security - As noted in section 2.1.2 FCT Abuja, the Abuja-Lokoja Highway was ‘long plagued by violent crime, kidnappings, and fear’. The most affected areas in Kogi state ‘included the Kwaita-Chikara-Omoko-Idu-Gegu-Orehi-Ochonyi-Akpogu and Koton Karfe communities’ and ‘Chikara-Sharp Bend, Aseni, Ahoko-Adabo, and the Orehi/Achabo axis.’ The article however noted that ‘recent reports indicate a significant reduction in criminal activities’ along the route, credited ‘to increased patrols led by the Nigerian army and other security agencies.’ However, certain sections of the road continued to suffer from potholes, poor lighting, and deserted checkpoints, which were frequently used as ambush spots.405 In July 2025, for example, kidnappings were reported along Egume-Ankpa expressway.406

Displacement, movement and return - As of February 2025, IOM estimated the number of IDPs in Kogi state at 20 793407 compared to 24 576 as of November 2024.408 IOM lists disaster (90 %) and farmer-herder clashes (9 %) as the main reasons for displacement in the state.409

No information could be found on returns in Kogi state during the reference period.

c) State response in maintaining law and order

In December 2024, the Kogi State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps concluded the training of 262 of its personnel, ‘in response to escalating security challenges and the need to safeguard critical infrastructure.’410 In June 2024, the state government planned the recruitment of 50 hunters in each of the state’s 21 LGAs and cited ‘a shortage of security personnel’ and the necessity ‘to curb crime and criminality in the state’ as reasons for the proposed recruitment.411 In December 2024, the state government reported that in 2024, it had deployed 3 000 security personnel throughout the 21 LGAs to combat banditry and other forms of crime.412 In October 2024, a forward operational base of the Nigerian Army in Egbe began operations as part of efforts ‘to stem kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities in the border community.’413 According to a June 2025 media article, the base, strategically located ‘at the crossroads of Kogi, Kwara, Ekiti, Osun, and Niger states’ provided ‘rapid-response capability and a permanent military presence to deter criminal elements exploiting the remote forested terrains of the region.’414

Media reported the rescue of kidnapped victims415 and the foiling of kidnappings.416 In June 2025, the Kogi Government launched a crackdown on kidnappers, arresting 26 suspects.417