“We Will Not Fold Our Arms While Criminals Spill Innocent Blood,” Says Kogi Governor
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has vowed to hunt down and bring to justice the killers of retired military officer, Major Joe Ajayi, who was brutally murdered by unknown assailants in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area.
In a solemn but firm address during a condolence visit to Odo-Ape, the late officer’s hometown, Governor Ododo condemned the act in strong terms, describing it as a direct assault on the peace and dignity of Kogi State.
“This is not just a loss to Odo-Ape or to Kogi West — it is a loss to Nigeria,” the Governor said. “Major Joe Ajayi served this country with pride. His death will not be in vain. We will not fold our arms while criminals spill innocent blood.”
Governor Ododo declared an all-out offensive against criminal gangs, vowing to deploy all available security resources to flush out syndicates operating within Kabba-Bunu and its environs.
“Let this be a final warning: Kogi State will not tolerate outlaws hiding under any guise — investor, visitor, or otherwise,” he said.
He promised a swift, coordinated response to not only arrest the perpetrators but to dismantle any network enabling such acts of violence across Kogi West.
The Governor also used the occasion to issue a stern warning to traditional leaders, urging them to stop allocating land to individuals without proper background checks.
“From today, no community should grant land to anyone whose identity is unclear. Criminals don’t drop from the sky — some are welcomed through our own carelessness,” Ododo said.
Inspecting a nearby security outpost, the Governor reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening local intelligence and security presence in rural communities vulnerable to infiltration.
Speaking on behalf of the bereaved family, Titus Ajayi, the younger brother of the slain officer, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Governor Ododo for his physical presence and powerful words.
“Your visit is more than a condolence — it is a message that justice will be served,” Titus said. “We now believe that our brother’s killers will not go unpunished.”
Governor Ododo’s visit was not just symbolic; it signaled a turning point in the state’s fight against insecurity, particularly in rural areas often overlooked by federal forces.
With the weight of the state behind the call for justice, and a grieving community watching closely, Kogi’s message to criminals is clear: No one is above the law. No community is left behind. No blood will be shed in vain.