The management of Lokoja International Market has commissioned a new security house as part of efforts to strengthen security architecture in the Market.

The facility is expected to enhance safety for traders and visitors while supporting broader peacebuilding initiatives within the commercial hub.

The new security house was unveiled during a ceremony attended by government officials, market leaders, and other stakeholders, who described the project as a major milestone for the market and nearby communities.

The initiative is seen as part of ongoing measures to reinforce order and stability in one of the busiest trading centres in the state.

Chairman of Lokoja Local Government Area, Comrade Abdullahi Adamu, said the project aligns with his administration’s commitment to peace and effective governance.

He noted that his presence at the event was to show support for the consultant overseeing the market, whom he described as a critical partner in delivering key objectives of the government.

Adamu stressed that peace remains indispensable to development, adding that no meaningful progress can be achieved without a secure environment.

He explained that the new facility was strategically introduced to complement the existing police post and expand security coverage across the market.

He also commended Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for enabling the structure that led to the appointment of a consultant to manage the market, describing the move as instrumental to recent improvements.

The Consultant to Lokoja International Market, Adams Babangida, in his remarks, highlighted the role of collaboration in achieving the project, noting that peace and collective effort remain the bedrock of progress.

He described the Security House as a pioneering initiative within the state’s market system, adding that it would address security gaps beyond the main entrance where a security post already exists.

Speaking on behalf of traders, Alhaji Hassan Inuwa described the project as a landmark achievement, expressing confidence that the facility would help protect lives and property while boosting commercial activities in the market.