Lokoja: Governor Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State has reaffirmed his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on criminality, declaring that no part of the state will be surrendered to bandits, kidnappers, or other criminal elements.
Ododo gave the assurance on Saturday in Lokoja while inspecting newly acquired Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and other security equipment procured to strengthen operations across the state.
He said the protection of lives and property remains the primary responsibility of his administration and a covenant with the people of Kogi State.
“The day I took the oath of office was the day I entered into a covenant with our people,” the governor said.
According to him, security is a collective responsibility and the foundation for sustainable development.
“We will continue to hunt down criminal elements and wipe them out from our land,” he declared.
Ododo said a recent security briefing with President Bola Tinubu further strengthened his resolve to confront criminal networks, noting that he returned to the state with renewed determination to restore peace.
He disclosed that although some communities experienced attacks afterwards, security operatives responded swiftly, attributing the response to proactive strategies already in place.
The governor said he had personally visited affected communities, including Iluke, to assess the security situation firsthand.
“As a field worker, I do not rely on second-hand information. I visited the communities, assessed the terrain, and we decided to act decisively,” he said.
Ododo noted that the state government had begun deploying specialised security assets to support security agencies in tackling evolving threats.
He warned that criminal groups were adapting their tactics, including the use of drones and coordinated operations, but assured that security agencies were responding effectively.
“Bandits are changing tactics. They now use drones and organised groups, but we have studied their strategies and are responding effectively to eliminate them,” he said.
The governor commended security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), vigilantes, and hunters, for their collaboration in combating insecurity.
He revealed that Kogi State had ordered 50 armoured protective vehicles, adding that the first batch had already been delivered and deployed.
“No amount of resources is too much when it comes to saving lives. We are ready to invest whatever it takes to protect our people,” he said.
Ododo ruled out negotiations with criminals, insisting that his administration would not pay ransom under any circumstances.
“I will never negotiate with criminals. I will never pay ransom to bandits,” he declared.
He said resources that would have been used for ransom would instead be channelled into strengthening security operations to defeat criminal groups.
The governor reiterated his commitment to reclaiming all parts of Kogi State, assuring residents that lasting peace and security remain top priorities of his administration.
