The Chairman of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area in Kogi State, Hon. (Barr.) Zacchaeus Dare Michael, has ordered the closure of a NIPCO filling station in Kabba over allegations that the station supplied petrol to bandits operating in nearby forest areas.

The action was carried out in collaboration with operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), following intelligence reports that linked the petrol station to criminal activities that have threatened residents and disrupted local security.

The local government stated that shutting down the station was necessary to prevent further fuel supplies from reaching criminal networks, which have been responsible for multiple attacks along forested and rural corridors in Kogi State.

Authorities have assured residents that security agencies will continue to work closely with the local government to monitor all fuel stations and other potential sources of funding or resources for bandits. The NSCDC has been tasked with enforcing compliance and preventing illegal transactions that may aid criminal activities.

The closure comes amid increasing security operations across Kogi State, including patrols along highways and coordinated actions to prevent bandit attacks on commuters and communities.