The Kogi State government has ordered the immediate closure of Zango Market near Osara in Adavi Local Government Area and banned roadside truck parking in the vicinity in response to security concerns.
The directive was issued on December 4, 2024, by the Kogi State Government through a press release signed by Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the Commissioner for Information and Communications.
The closure and parking ban are part of government efforts to address rising security challenges in parts of the state.
Zango Market is located near Osara, which hosts the Confluence University of Science and Technology. The ban on roadside truck parking relates to areas adjacent to the market in Osara, Lokoja and surrounding communities.
The state government’s statement indicated that “intelligence reports shows that criminal elements have been using the market as a hideout, often in collaboration with some truck drivers who park along the roadside” near the market.
According to the press release, the closure and parking ban are aimed at preventing a potential security crisis in the area.
The government gave market operators and truck drivers a one‑week grace period to comply with the new directives before full enforcement begins.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo directed the Secretary to the Government of Kogi State to communicate the order to all relevant parties, including law enforcement agencies, to ensure compliance.
The Office of the State Security Adviser was tasked with overseeing security operations in the affected areas during and after the grace period.
The closure of Zango Market and the ban on roadside truck parking reflect an official government response to perceived security threats in Osara and nearby communities.
The grace period for compliance establishes a timeframe for traders and drivers to adjust to the new directives before enforcement.
