Insecurity: Kogi govt bans public and religious gatherings

The Governor of Kogi State, Usman Ododo, amidst the wave of insecurity in the state, has introduced proactive measures to guarantee the safety of all citizens.

Ododo in a statement released on the state website, disclosed that he has taken decisive action against bandits and terrorists hiding within the state, with their activities being closely monitored by the state security agencies.

He noted that the strategies of the state government is to be ahead of any attempts to destabilise the state.

Recently, Governor Ododo addressed the press following a high-level security meeting with security chiefs and traditional rulers, where he emphasised that the main focus of his security measures is to proactively target bandits in their hideouts, ensuring they have no chance to strike first. He declared that his administration is committed to making the state inhospitable for criminal activities.

In his move to curb insecurity in the state, Ododo has prioritised equipping security forces and fostering inter-agency collaboration to address the persistent threats in vulnerable areas.

Key strategies include increased patrols, deployment of specialised units, and technological surveillance to track and apprehend criminal elements.

The governor has also emphasised the importance of local vigilante groups and traditional leaders in intelligence gathering and maintaining peace within their communities.

Ododo’s security approach extends to tackling the root causes of insecurity, such as unemployment and poverty, through various empowerment programmes aimed at engaging the youth and providing alternative livelihoods.

This holistic strategy seeks to disrupt the recruitment pipelines for bandit groups and foster a more resilient and secure environment for the citizens of Kogi State.

The Governor also implemented a 4:00 p.m. ban on social, community, religious, and political activities in response to daily bandit attacks, new incidents of violence and abductions are still being recorded.

However, the governor attributes the increasing insecurity in the North-central region, including Kogi, to the influx of terrorists fleeing intensified military operations in the North-east and North-west.

He has stated that while criminals come in their numbers, they go in their zeros in Kogi, implying successful engagements by state forces.