Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed his administration’s determination to tackle insecurity, declaring that no part of the state will be surrendered to bandits, kidnappers, or other criminal elements threatening residents’ safety.
Speaking while inspecting newly procured Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and other security assets at the Government House in Lokoja, Ododo said safeguarding lives and property remains the foremost obligation of his government and a commitment made to Kogi people upon assuming office.
The governor described security as the foundation for sustainable development, stressing that defeating criminality requires both government action and community support.
“The day I took the oath of office to govern Kogi State was the day I entered into a covenant with our people to protect lives and property. We will continue to pursue criminal elements and ensure they no longer have a place in our state,” he said.
Ododo disclosed that after a recent security engagement with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his administration returned with renewed resolve to sustain peace and intensify operations against criminal networks.
According to him, recent attacks in some communities were successfully repelled through coordinated efforts among security agencies and proactive security measures.
He said he personally visited affected communities, including Iluke, to assess the situation firsthand.
“As a field worker, I do not rely solely on reports. I visited the communities, examined the terrain and the realities on ground, and concluded that decisive action was necessary before criminals gained further advantage,” he stated.
The governor announced that the state had commenced deployment of specialised security assets, including armoured vehicles, to reinforce operations against criminal groups.
He warned that criminal gangs had become more sophisticated, adopting technologies such as drones and coordinated attacks, but maintained that security agencies were adjusting strategies to confront emerging threats.
“Bandits are changing tactics and becoming more organised, but we have studied their methods and are responding effectively,” he said.
Ododo also revealed that intelligence reports exposed attempts by criminal groups to infiltrate communities through deceptive means, noting that local vigilantes and security operatives had foiled such plans.
He commended local hunters, vigilante groups, the Nigerian Army, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies for their collaboration in maintaining peace across the state.
The governor further announced that Kogi State had procured 50 armoured protective vehicles to strengthen security operations, adding that the first batch had already been delivered and deployed.
“No amount of resources is too much when it comes to protecting lives. We are prepared to invest whatever is necessary to secure every community in Kogi State,” he said.
Ruling out negotiations with criminal groups, Ododo insisted his administration would neither negotiate with nor pay ransom to kidnappers and bandits.
“I will never negotiate with criminals and I will never pay ransom. Resources that could go into ransom payments are better used to equip security agencies to defeat them,” he declared.
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to reclaiming every part of Kogi State from criminal elements and ensuring lasting peace and security across the state.
