By Dalena Reporters l January 2, 2026
KABBA-BUNU, KOGI STATE, NIGERIA — Dozens of youths protesting what they described as worsening insecurity, killings, kidnappings and community desertion By Islamic Jihadist in Kogi State were dispersed with tear gas by police on Friday, January 2, 2026, underscoring growing public frustration with persistent violence and displacement in parts of the state.
The demonstration, staged by young residents of Bunuland in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, saw protesters block a major road while chanting and holding placards with messages such as “Bunuland Bleeds” and “Why Should We Ask for Permission to Live?” in an effort to draw attention to what they described as chronic insecurity in their home communities.
One participant lamented that dozens of villages have been abandoned as residents flee repeated attacks by armed groups. “We have 44 communities in Bunuland. Those communities have been deserted,” the protester said, referring to local villages such as Kayetoro, Kiri and Ole, where recent killings have been reported, including the murder of at least three residents in Ole.
The protest was initially peaceful, with demonstrators singing and demanding urgent government intervention. However, Nigeria Police Force personnel deployed to the scene used multiple rounds of tear gas to disperse the crowd and clear the roadway, forcing protesters to withdraw. Participants said they remained resolute in their call for security improvements despite the police action.
Residents of Kabba-Bunu and surrounding areas have raised longstanding concerns about killings, kidnappings and the occupation of farmlands by criminal elements, accusing authorities of failure to protect lives and property. Recent attacks in the region including abductions along rural roads and coordinated raids on communities have exacerbated fear and displacement among civilians.
This protest reflects broader discontent over insecurity in parts of Nigeria’s north-central belt, where communities have staged similar demonstrations in past years in response to violence and criminality. The police response with tear gas highlights ongoing tensions between security forces and civilians demanding greater protection and government accountability.