Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo has vowed to expel all criminal elements threatening the security of the state.
Governor Ododo made the resolution on Friday during the passing out parade of 132 rank and files of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp, NSCDC, Kogi State Command.
The Governor, who was represented by the State Security Adviser Commodore Jerry Omodara noted that since his administration came on board, there has been a fight back by criminals.
He said “Security is a work in progress. Now that there is a new government in Kogi State, we have begun to realize that there is a fight back by criminals. We have a solid foundation as far as security is concerned in Kogi State.
“That is the reason we quickly reviewed again the security architecture of the State and every loophole we need to block. We are already sniffing them out. We have issues of almost three kidnapping cases simultaneously along Obajana Kabba road.
“That almost gave us another bad name. I can assure you today that the state has tackled them very well. The Governor is determined.
He called all the security agencies to work in synergy and ensure that Kogi State remains safe
“We are ensuring that we don’t sleep. There is a 24-hour patrol in Kogi. We are blocking every road. We know the challenges before now. The current Governor Alhaji Usman Ahmed Ododo is determined and ever-ready to sustain the foundation of security he inherited from the previous Government and also improve on it. And that is why we are investing heavily in technical and human intelligence.
“When we have the security working as one body, you will discover that we will achieve results. Insecurity is community-based. We have also involved security at the grassroots. We are carrying the hunters along and reviewing the Kogi State Vigilante’s activities. We are bringing them to be a serious fighting force to make sure Kogi is kept safe.
He urged all criminal elements to take a bow and relocate from Kogi State.
“They should repent or leave Kogi State. We also want the people of Kogi State that has been doing it before to renew their strength. They know that when they give us information, the people who are involved in these criminal activities don’t get to know. Give us information and security agencies will get to the root of it and tackle insecurities. We are again very determined”.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commandant of NSCDC in Kogi State Paul Igwebuike commended the Commandant General of NSCDC Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi whose policies of revamping and rejigging NSCDC have yielded positive transformation in the Corps.
He charged the newly recruited officers to serve their fatherland with total sincerity to the nation.
According to him, “Our security situation continues to be uncertain and fluid with a persisting combination of conventional and unconstitutional challenges. You will, therefore, see yourselves being involved in a variety of tasks. You must, however, see your graduation today as not the end, but a new beginning of your training and education in the Corps.
