Since assumption of office in January, 2024, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State hasn’t relented in his resolve to rid the Confluence State of criminal elements.

To that effect the number one citizen of Kogi State who chose to be called Chief Servant of Kogi State has continued to prioritise the safety of Kogi State citizens and despite all odds he hasn’t given up on his resolve not to negotiate with bandits, amid the huge challenge of the state being bordered by ten states across the country.

In spite of the challenges, Ododo has continued to fight like a gallant soldier and he has been winning the war against terror.

A few days ago, the Governor announced the recovery of a massive cache of arms and ammunition from criminal hideouts following a decisive joint security operation carried out in the state.

Ododo disclosed this while briefing newsmen in Lokoja on Tuesday, stating that the operation was the outcome of over a week of sustained, intelligence-driven surveillance by security agencies working in firm coordination with the state government.

According to the Governor, the renewed and aggressive crackdown on criminal elements was further galvanized after his recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu, who charged him to intensify security efforts rather than seek accolades.

“When I met Mr. President, I expected commendation, but he told me to go back and do more for my people. That statement re-energised me,” the governor said. “We immediately regrouped, met with the security agencies, harmonised our strategies, and acted decisively on credible intelligence.”

He noted that security operatives executed a coordinated overnight operation that uncovered a major criminal enclave where a significant stockpile of weapons was concealed. Although no arrests were made during the raid, Ododo described the recovery of the arms as a major and strategic breakthrough in the fight against crime.

He attributed the persistence of criminal activities to Kogi State’s strategic geography, stressing that the state shares boundaries with 10 states and serves as a critical corridor with multiple entry and exit routes.

“Kogi State is fully alert. The DSS, the police, the military, the navy, and all other security agencies are working relentlessly, day and night,” he declared. “We’ll never bow to criminals, and we’ll never negotiate with them.”

The governor called on residents to actively support security agencies by providing timely, accurate, and credible information, assuring the public of the government’s unflinching commitment to safeguarding lives and property.

During the briefing, Ododo listed items recovered in the operation to include 24 AK-47 rifles, 23 pump-action rifles, one Tavor rifle, one FN rifle, four Barrett pistols, four Browning rifles, 42 magazines, 520 rounds of GPMG 7.62 ammunition, as well as large quantities of AK-47 ammunition and cartridges for pump-action and Barrett pistols.

Other items recovered include handcuffs, 13 holsters, tear gas cartridges, and submachine gun (SMG) components.

The Governor reaffirmed that the success recorded was the direct result of a tightly coordinated joint operation by multiple security agencies acting on credible and actionable intelligence.

He expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support and motivation, as well as to the Director-General of the Department of State Services, the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, and the leadership of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for their steadfast cooperation.

Again, in a major operation with the combined security forces, led by the State Security Adviser, Cdr Jerry Omodara (rtd), the Kogi State Government demolished and set ablaze bandits’ camps and hideouts in Aherin-Bunu community, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Areas.

Speaking to journalists at the location on Thursday, Omodara said two wounded bandits and fake doctors were apprehended in a settlement in Aherin-Bunu community, Kabba-Bunu LGA.

The security Adviser, acting on intelligence information, stated that security agencies arrested two wounded bandits who were receiving treatment from local doctors in the settlements. The doctor treating the bandits were also apprehended.

According to Omodara, the bandits had sustained gunshot injuries in a previous encounter with security forces.

Following the arrest, Governor Ododo directed that the bandits’ camps and settlements be wiped out.

Acting on the governor’s directive, the combined security forces demolished the camps, including a makeshift clinic, and destroyed the bandits’ farmland and farm produce”.

Omodara emphasised that the security agencies have saturated the state, making it difficult for bandits to hide. He warned that anyone caught perpetrating, abetting, or collaborating with criminals would be dealt with, regardless of their status or identity.

“We received intel that two bandits were receiving treatment in a settlement in Aherin-Bunu community in Kabba-Bunu LGA. We swiftly deployed security personnel and arrested the two wounded bandits. The Governor directed that any house used for treating bandits should be demolished.

“We’re arresting fake doctors treating them and warning that anyone perpetrating, abetting, or collaborating with criminals will be dealt with, regardless of their status. We won’t accept that and we’re not going to allow it,” Omodara said.

He stressed that the operation is part of the Kogi State Government’s ongoing onslaught against banditry and other criminal activities, which is yielding unprecedented results.

Also recall that in a bid to tackle insecurity and empathise with his citizens, Governor Ododo visited Isanlu-Esa in Yagba West Local Government Area with a firm resolve to stamp out criminal activities in the area.

He also went a step forward to charge traditional rulers to take responsibility for security in their areas, warning them against indiscriminate allocation of land to unknown individuals.

The Commander of the Nigerian Army in charge of the operation, Brigadier General K. U. Sidi, while welcoming the Governor, commended the combined efforts of the security agencies, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and Special Forces in combating criminality in the area.

Brig. Gen. Sidi expressed appreciation to the Governor for his sustained support to the security agencies, noting that the provision of logistics and other assistance had strengthened their capacity to secure the area.

He also acknowledged the “invaluable contributions” of the Hybrid Force from the Office of the National Security Adviser to the ongoing operation in Yagba West.

The traditional ruler of Isanlu-Esa, His Royal Highness Oba Olufemi Ogunremi Theophilus, thanked the Governor for personally visiting the community, describing the visit as a demonstration of responsive and responsible leadership.

The royal father appealed to the security agencies to maintain their presence in the area until criminal activities are completely eradicated. He also called on the Federal Government to fix the road leading to the community to facilitate free movement and enhance security operations.

In his remarks, Governor Ododo commended the gallantry of the security agencies and sympathised with families that lost loved ones to the recent attacks.

“Let me thank you for your efforts at ensuring security in this area. Your synergy has made your assignment easier, and I’m always ready to provide all necessary support to triumph over criminality,” the Governor said.

He cautioned traditional rulers against indiscriminate allocation of land to unknown individuals, stressing that henceforth, anyone with mining licences must be properly profiled by the government and security agencies to prevent security breaches.

Still in the spirit of fighting to finish criminals in the state, the Governor approved the absorption of the Kogi State Vigilante Personnel into the mainstream of the Civil Service sector.

Following the approval, the Executive Chairman, Kogi State Civil Service Commission, Barr. Tanko Muhammed while addressing the new personnel at the Kogi State Civil Service Commission, congratulated them for their successful engagement and urged them to remain committed and dedicated to their duties, describing their new position in the society as very important.

The Chairman emphasised that their absorption into the Civil Service Sector has further subjected them to the public Service Rules, (PSR) Scheme of Service and Regulation with their names Gazetted which they must strictly adhere to.

He commended the Governor for his determination and commitment toward combating the scourge of insecurity in the state through the initiative.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Civil Service, Hon. Tade Adeyemi who congratulated the Vigilante group for their fortunes also applauded the Governor for wiping out the issues of casualization of Vigilante Services in Kogi State, noting that the initiative is first of its kind in the history of Nigeria.

He urged them to reciprocate the gesture by putting in their best towards eradicating insecurity in the state.

The Director General of Kogi state Vigilante Services, Alhaji Ibrahim Omeiza Sani, while addressing them, stressed the need for documentation on individual basis, emphasising that bringing together all the Vigilante groups across the State will give opportunity for a roll call, thereby eradicating ghost workers in the System.

The Director General who was represented by his Deputy, Mr. Ibrahim Taiwo gave an overview of Kogi State Vigilante Services (KSVS), recalling that KSVS was established based on the Kogi State House of Assemble Law of 2013, but only came into manifestation during the immediate past administration of former Governor in the year 2016 to 2023 with members drawn from different communities across the 21 local Government areas. (Daily Independent)