Kogi Police Confirms Bail of Farouq Ozigi Onimisi; Launch Probe Into Edede Attack, Ibaji Clash
The Kogi State Police Command has provided updates on three separate security incidents across the state, including the arrest and bail of Farouq Ozigi Onimisi, a deadly attack on Edede Community, and a communal clash between Itale and Ishi communities in Ibaji LGA.
1. Farouq Ozigi Onimisi Arrest and Bail
The Command said Onimisi was lawfully arrested on April 25, 2026, in Abuja by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) based on credible intelligence and verified complaints. He was transferred to Kogi State on April 26 and charged on April 27 with Criminal Conspiracy, Inciting Disturbance, Unlawful Assembly, Cyberstalking, and Defamation of Character. He was remanded at the Kotonkarfe Correctional Custodial Centre until May 15.
On May 6, 2026, he appeared in court and was granted bail after meeting all legal requirements. The Command stressed that due process was followed at every stage and no legal procedures were violated.
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2. Violent Attack on Edede Community
Police confirmed that armed assailants attacked Edede Community on May 5, 2026, at about 4:00 p.m., killing one person identified as Nasiru Alias, whose body was found dismembered. The attackers also set fire to several houses, a vehicle, and a motorcycle. The community was deserted when tactical operatives arrived.
A joint response involving the Police, Military, and local vigilantes has been deployed to stabilize the area. The Command said a full-scale investigation is underway using intelligence-led patrols and covert operations to track and apprehend the perpetrators, though no formal complaint has yet been lodged.
3. Communal Clash in Ibaji LGA
On May 6, 2026, at about 7:04 a.m., a disturbance erupted between Itale and Ishi communities in Ibaji LGA. A joint team of Police, Naval personnel, the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), and the Kogi State Vigilance Service (KSVS) was mobilized to the scene.
Several buildings and bags of rice were already ablaze, allegedly set by youths from Itale community. The team dispersed the hoodlums and restored calm. Two male corpses were recovered from Ishi community, while one person sustained a gunshot wound from a pump-action rifle and is receiving treatment at General Hospital, Idah. Fifty-seven expended cartridges were also recovered.
Persons of interest have been identified from both communities, including Stephen Enema, Isaac Enedubi, Alex Attah, and Eneje Idah from Itale, and Stephen Amegwu, Shederach Alone, and Friday Onal from Ishi. The area remains under surveillance.
Commissioner of Police CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi said the Command’s response across all three incidents was “swift, coordinated, and professionally executed,” reflecting its commitment to intelligence-led policing and public safety. He urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information.
Signed: ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat, Police Public Relations Officer, Kogi State Command, May 6, 2026.
Details of the press statement below:
KOGI STATE POLICE COMMAND
PRESS RELEASE
PUBLIC SECURITY UPDATE ON RECENT INCIDENTS IN KOGI STATE
The Kogi State Police Command wishes to brief the general public on recent security happenings across parts of the State. These updates are intended to provide factual clarity, correct misinformation, and demonstrate the sustained operational efforts of the Command in safeguarding lives and property.
SUBJECT 1: VIRAL CLAIMS REGARDING ARREST AND DETENTION OF ONE FAROUQ OZIGI ONIMISI IN KOGI STATE
The Command wishes to address misleading narratives circulating on social media concerning the arrest and detention of one Farouq Ozigi Onimisi. The suspect was lawfully arrested on Saturday, 25th April 2026, in Abuja by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), acting on credible intelligence and verified complaints relating to alleged offences.
He was subsequently transferred to Kogi State on Sunday, 26th April 2026, where investigations were concluded promptly, and he was charged to court on Monday, 27th April 2026 for Criminal Conspiracy, Inciting Disturbance, Unlawful Assembly, Cyberstalking, and Defamation of Character. Following arraignment, he was remanded at the Correctional Custodial Centre, Kotonkarfe, until 15th May, 2026.
However, the matter came up in court today, 6th May 2026, where the defendant was granted bail after fulfilling all legal requirements and conditions set by the court. He has since been released accordingly. The Command wishes to state unequivocally that at no time was due process violated, as all actions were carried out strictly within established legal and procedural frameworks.
SUBJECT 2: ATTACK ON EDEDE COMMUNITY, KOGI STATE: POLICE LAUNCH MANHUNT FOR PERPETRATORS
The Kogi State Police Command confirms a violent attack on Edede Community which occurred on 5th May, 2026, at about 1600hrs. Preliminary reports indicate that armed assailants invaded the community, resulting in the gruesome killing of one individual identified as NASIRU ALIAS, whose body was found dismembered. The attackers also set ablaze several houses, a vehicle, and a motorcycle.
Upon receipt of the report, the Police promptly mobilized and deployed tactical operatives to the scene. On arrival, the community was found deserted. Security operatives have since initiated a reinforced joint response involving the Police, the Military, and local vigilantes. Personnel have been strategically deployed within and around the area to prevent further incursions and stabilize the environment.
Although a formal complaint is yet to be lodged, the Command has commenced a full-scale investigation using intelligence-led strategies, sustained coordinated patrols, and covert operations aimed at identifying, tracking, and apprehending the perpetrators of this heinous crime. The Command assures the public that it remains fully committed to ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice.
SUBJECT 3: COMMUNAL CLASH BETWEEN ITALE AND ISHI COMMUNITIES IN IBAJI LGA
The Kogi State Police Command wishes to inform the public that on 6th May, 2026, at about 0704hrs, the Divisional Police Officer, Ibaji, received a distress call reporting that a communal disturbance had erupted between Itale and Ishi communities in Ibaji Local Government Area.
On receipt of the information, the Command promptly mobilized a joint operations team comprising Police operatives, Naval personnel, the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), and the Kogi State Vigilance Service (KSVS) to the area.
On arrival, a tense situation was encountered, with several buildings and agricultural produce, including bags of rice, already set ablaze by suspected youths from Itale community. The joint team acted swiftly, successfully dispersing the hoodlums and restoring normalcy to the area.
However, two male corpses were recovered from different locations within Ishi community. One other victim sustained a gunshot injury from a pump-action rifle and was immediately rushed to the General Hospital, Idah, for treatment. Additionally, fifty-seven (57) rounds of expended cartridges were recovered from the scene.
The area remains under active surveillance, with sustained security deployment and ongoing monitoring. Persons of interest have been identified from both communities in connection with the incident. These include Stephen Enema, Isaac Enedubi, Alex Attah, and Eneje Idah from Itale community, as well as Stephen Amegwu, Shederach Alone, and Friday Onal from Ishi community. The Command wishes to state that all individuals found culpable will be duly investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Kogi State Police Command, under the leadership of CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, psc, mni, wishes to emphasize that across all three incidents, its response has been swift, coordinated, and professionally executed, reflecting its commitment to intelligence-led policing, rapid deployment strategies, and the protection of lives and property. Members of the public are urged to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and continue to support security agencies with credible intelligence.
ASP SALIU OYIZA AFUSAT
Police Public Relations Officer
Kogi State Command
Lokoja.
6th May, 2026
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, MAY 7TH 2026)
