By Ajewole Joshua
Egbe, Yagba West LGA, Kogi State — Tension is mounting in Egbe community following allegations that certain local government officials and members of the vigilante corps are actively sabotaging ongoing grassroots efforts to curb crime and stop the infiltration of kidnappers and bandit collaborators in the area.
Speaking during an online press briefing convened by the Egbe Central Security Committee, the committee’s secretary, Elder S.K. Oniya, expressed deep frustration over what he described as “a deliberate compromise of community security efforts by those entrusted with public safety.”
According to Oniya, on Thursday, October 9, 2025, Egbe Indigenous Security Guards arrested eight suspects in the Egbe Woodlands for allegedly smuggling fuel in jerrycans and hard drugs through illegal bush paths toward the local airfield — an area believed to be used as a supply route to armed bandits operating around Yagba West.
This breakthrough, he said, came just 48 hours after another successful interception of individuals supplying food and drugs to criminal hideouts.
> “We thought we were making progress. But our joy was short-lived,” Oniya lamented.
Officials Accused of Ordering Release of Suspects
In a shocking twist, the committee alleged that Mr. Femi (Sunday) Adeyeye, believed to be the Special Adviser on Security to the Yagba West Local Government, and Commander Wole Ajulo, head of Kogi State Vigilante Sector D in Egbe, intervened in the case.
The suspects; along with the seized fuel, were allegedly released the same day without investigation or trial, despite an existing directive from the LGA Chairman, Hon. Tosin Olokun, issued on October 1st, banning the transportation or sale of fuel and food items into forest areas suspected to house criminal elements.
Oniya said repeated efforts to officially engage the accused officials had been unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
“We Are Fighting Criminals on One Hand and Shielding Them on the Other”
> “How can community members risk their lives arresting criminals at 4 a.m. in the bush, only for government officials and vigilante commanders to release them? Is our safety now for sale?” Oniya queried.
The security committee further accused certain vigilante operatives and community chiefs of collecting bribes from offenders and shielding known drug dealers and fuel suppliers to criminal gangs.
He cited several instances where suspects, including non-indigenes and even sons of prominent chiefs, were selectively released or protected, while others faced harsher treatment.
Call for Presidential and National Intervention
With distrust now growing between community-led security groups and the official security channels, the Egbe Central Security Committee is appealing directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Kogi State Government, and all relevant security agencies to intervene before the situation escalates beyond control.
> “Egbe must not be sold out. Yagba West must not be betrayed. If local officials are compromised, then we appeal to the Presidency, the Inspector-General of Police, the DSS, and all Nigerians of goodwill to come to our aid,” Oniya declared.
He further called for:
Immediate investigation into the roles of the accused officials.
Reassignment or removal of compromised security heads allegedly aiding criminal networks.
Deployment of neutral security operatives to restore trust and order.
Protection of whistleblowers and community volunteers, who now fear retaliation.
“We Are Tired; Help Us Before We Take to the Streets”
Recounting recent attempts at peaceful protest which were allegedly suppressed by some vigilante leaders, Oniya warned that public anger is rising, and without swift action, the people may resort to mass demonstrations.
> “We do not want to take the law into our hands. We respect the government. But we cannot watch criminals being shielded and rewarded while those protecting us are being frustrated,” he stressed.
Conclusion
At the time of this report, pressmen were still unable to secure a response from the accused officials, including Mr. Adeyeye and Commander Ajulo. However, the Egbe community insists this is a battle for survival, not politics.
They are calling on President Tinubu, the Kogi State Governor, security chiefs, and concerned Nigerians to intervene; now, before impunity turns Egbe into a full-blown danger zone.
Further updates will be provided as more responses are received from the concerned authorities.
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