By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja

The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, Bethrand Onuoha, has ordered a statewide security clampdown to ensure safety and peace before, during, and after the Yuletide celebrations.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP William Ovye Aya, on Monday in Lokoja.
According to the statement, CP Onuoha gave the directive while addressing the Command Management Team and Tactical Commanders at the Command Headquarters in Lokoja.
The Commissioner disclosed that the Command has rolled out an intensive crime prevention and control strategy to safeguard lives and property throughout the festive period.
He assured residents that the Police, working in synergy with other security agencies, remain committed to eliminating criminal activities and improving public safety.
CP Onuoha directed Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and Area Commanders to mobilize personnel and operational assets for high-visibility patrols on highways, residential areas, and worship centers.
He further tasked them to secure vulnerable locations and conduct undercover operations in black spots and crime-prone areas to apprehend offenders before they strike.
The CP called on residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies. He emphasized the role of community collaboration in intelligence gathering to boost crime prevention and management.
Reiterating the ban on fireworks, CP Onuoha warned parents to prevent their children from using knockouts and other explosives.
He stated that violators would face arrest and prosecution, stressing that such acts could lead to public disorder.
The CP assured Kogi residents of watertight security measures and urged law-abiding citizens to go about their activities without fear.
He, however, warned that anyone attempting to breach public peace or take the law into their hands would face the full wrath of the law.

The majority of the country’s 36 state governors have endorsed the creation of state police to decisively contain the escalating insecurity across Nigeria.
This decision cameduring a National Economic Council (NEC) meeting held on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, bringing the proposal one step closer to reality. A final resolution is expected to be reached in January 2025.

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, who spoke to the press after the meeting, confirmed that all 36 states had submitted their recommendations in favor of establishing state police.
While the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) under Nyesom Wike did not present its proposal, the overwhelming support from the other states emphasized the urgent need for tailored security measures to address the specific challenges faced by each region.

Governor Sani explained that the push for state police is driven by the recognition of Nigeria’s vast ungoverned areas and the shortage of security personnel. He highlighted that the current security forces, including the police and military, are stretched thin and unable to effectively cover all areas of the country. The governors believe that state police would enhance local security efforts and offer a more effective response to the growing violence in many regions.

Although the NEC meeting did not finalize the creation of state police, it was agreed that further consultations would take place before a decision is made. The next NEC meeting, scheduled for January 2025, will include additional discussions and stakeholder engagements to ensure all concerns are addressed before a final resolution is passed.

The establishment of state police is seen as a crucial step in addressing the worsening security situation in Nigeria, where the central government’s security agencies have struggled to contain the rising tide of violence and insecurity.

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has revealed that some individuals and groups, including civilians and military personnel, are profiting from the ongoing insurgency in the region.
Speaking as a guest on Channels TV on Sunday night, Zulum stated that these beneficiaries extend beyond Borno and are spread across the country.

He disclosed that informants within local communities and even military officers supplying ammunition to insurgents have been uncovered, complicating efforts to restore peace.
“Many times, informants were arrested within the community, and military personnel were caught trying to provide ammunition to the insurgents,” Zulum said.

The Governor also highlighted the role of porous borders, particularly around Lake Chad and the Sambisa forest, in creating safe havens for terrorists.
He noted foreign involvement as another factor fueling the prolonged crisis.

“Some people, across various strata, do not want to see the end of this crisis because they benefit from it,” Zulum remarked, emphasizing the complexity of resolving the insurgency due to these hidden interests.

Zulum’s candid revelations underscore the challenges facing counter-insurgency efforts in Borno, where both internal and external factors continue to fuel the decade-long conflict.