Connect with us

Security

Kogi CP addresses media on security situation

Published

on

Text of a press conference by CP Akeem A Yusuf Commissioner of of Police, Police State Command at the command headquarters on 22nd June, 2023.


Gentlemen of the Press, I welcome you to the Headquarters of the Nigeria police Force, Kogi State Command.

Today, Thursday 22nd June 2023, I invited you here to appraise you with the current security situations in the State.
Consequent upon the decision reached at the State security meeting on the upsurge of criminal activities in the State. It would be recalled that the Kogi State Government in October, 2018 granted pardon in prerogative of mercy as part of rehabilitation to one notorious gang leader named Kabir Bala alias (OKWO) in Ejule, Ofu LGA.
However, the said Kabir Bala remained an unrepentant criminal with lots of atrocities traced to him which includes; dealing in illegal arms, Kidnappings and killings in the State.

Several cases had been traced to him such as:

  1. Burning alive of Mrs Salome Abu, a PDP woman Leader in Ofu LGA in her residence on 18th November, 2019 at Ochadamu
  2. Killing of two (2) Igala youths; UMORU AREH and UNEKWU SULE on 20th April, 2022 at Ejule.
  3. Killing of Five (5) Fulani Herders namely; Ibrahim, Haruna and Shuaibu along Alloma Road, Ofu LGA in April, 2022 and Muhammed and Dauda at Imoko in Ofu LGA on 3rd March, 2023
    Other crimes committed by Kabir Bala and his gang are:
    Attack on troops of Nigerian Navy and dispossessed them of four (4) Rifles at Alloma village on 4* March, 2022. Though, the Firearms were later returned to the Navy following high-powered intervention.

ii. Attack on Elisha Aya, Pastor and founder of Kingdom Faith Assembly Ejule on 18* March, 2022 who later paid 1 Million naira to Bala as levy for establishing a Church.

iii. Invasion of Egane Fulani settlement, burning 213, huts, rustled 122 cows on 25* December, 2022.

IV.Assault on the Lord’s Chosen Church, Ejule on 29 January 2023 for disturbing his Hotel with their Service, during which Joy Abuh, a worshipper sustained gunshot injury on her left hand.

V.He was also responsible for seven (7) Kidnappings along Itobe-Anyigba highway from 5th to 28th May 2023
Based on the above facts, the decision reached at the ‘State Security Council meeting held on 20th June 2023, that;

a. The state pardon granted to Kabir Bala in 2018 be revoked immediately.

b. Security agencies must go after Kabir Bala and arrest him immediately for prosecution.

c. All known agents of Kabir Bala in criminal activities must be apprehended to face the law.

d. All illegal arms in the possession of criminals in that area should be recovered for peace of the State.

e. Joint Operations should be set up comprising the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police, DSS, Civil Defence to go after Kabir Bala and his gang to arrest them and recover the arms in their possession
Today, 22nd June 2023, at about 0430hrs in pursuit of the above, the Kabir Bala and his gang members on sighting the Joint Security team opened fire on them and started shooting sporadically. The team engaged the hoodlums; the said Kabir Bala was neutralized in the process while other members of his gang escaped with varying degrees of injuries,
Items recovered from his premises include;

i. One (1) AK 47 Rifle with three(3) fully loaded magazines
Six (6) locally fabricated weapons

ill. Two (2) Phones and Charms
Finally, I wish to reiterate that, the ongoing onslaught against criminal activities will be sustained to ensure the safety of lives and properties in the State.
Thank You and God Bless.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Security

Nigeria Fortifies Cyber Defenses with Landmark Workshop to Safeguard Critical Infrastructure

Published

on

By

Wale Edun, Mohammed Badaru and Nuhu Ribadu.

In a decisive move to strengthen Nigeria’s defenses against cyber threats, the Federal Government has hosted a Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Protection and Resilience Workshop, bringing together key policymakers, security agencies, and sector regulators at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja.

The workshop, a landmark event aimed at fortifying cybersecurity across critical sectors, saw the participation of high-profile leaders including Finance Minister Wale Edun, Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Director of Information and Public Relations Muhammed Manga in a statement said the workshop underscored the growing importance of cybersecurity in protecting Nigeria’s digital infrastructure amidst a global rise in cyber threats.
The statement quoted Edun to have highlighted the urgency of safeguarding digital assets, noting a surge in cyber threats impacting government and private sectors.
“To truly understand the extent of the commitment made to cybersecurity, one only needs to look at this gathering of our nation’s foremost leaders,” Edun stated, adding that Nigeria’s cybersecurity efforts are critical for both national security and economic resilience.

National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu outlined the workshop’s key objectives, emphasizing a coordinated strategy to protect Nigeria’s digital landscape from cyber-attacks.
Ribadu explained that the event was integral to fulfilling an executive mandate under the amended Cybercrimes Act, which authorizes the designation of essential computer systems and networks as critical infrastructure.
This designation mandates their protection, ensuring the security of key systems that support both the nation’s security and its economic infrastructure.

The workshop attracted significant stakeholders in national security and governance, including EFCC Executive Chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede, NSCDC Commandant General Ahmed Audi, and Nigeria Governors’ Forum Director General Abdulateef Shittu, reflecting the priority given to cybersecurity at the highest levels of government.

The event will culminate in a strategic action plan aimed at fortifying cybersecurity resilience across Nigeria’s essential infrastructure sectors.
This comprehensive roadmap will guide efforts to implement effective cybersecurity measures to ensure the resilience

Continue Reading

Security

Obi Condemns Rise in Violence, Insecurity Across Nigeria

Published

on

By

Peter Obi

Former Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 General elections, Peter Obi has expressed grave concern over the escalating incidents of killings, kidnappings, and violent crimes plaguing Nigeria.
In a recent statement, via his X-handle, he highlighted the continuous suffering inflicted by non-state actors, who have left countless families in grief and despair.

Obi specifically condemned the tragic ambush of Supersports TV crew members along the Ihiala-Orlu Road in Anambra State, which resulted in fatalities and the kidnapping of others. “These media practitioners were on their way to fulfill their official duties when this horrific incident occurred,” he stated, mourning the loss of life.

He also referenced a recent attack in Agatu local government area of Benue State, where several individuals were reportedly killed and others injured, further illustrating the rampant violence affecting communities across the nation.

“The violent attacks, many of which go unreported, have come to define our daily existence in what was once a secure nation,” Obi lamented. “We are gradually losing count of those who have fallen victim to this insecurity.”

Obi urged Nigerians to unite in demanding improved security for all citizens, questioning how much longer the nation would tolerate such tragedies.
He extended his condolences to the families affected by these recent attacks and called for a collective effort to ensure the safety of lives and property across Nigeria.

“We are all in this together as a nation,” Obi concluded, emphasizing the need for urgent action to address the growing threat of violence.

Continue Reading

Security

Dangote Cement donates security facility to Kogi Assembly

Published

on

By

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

Kogi State House of Assembly has taken delivery of a Security House donated by the Management of Dangote Cement Plant, Obajana, to boost security of lives and property in and around the Assembly complex.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony on Thursday at the Assembly Complex in Lokoja, Speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf commended Dangote Cement for the Security House worth millions of Naira.

The Speaker who stressed the importance of security to government and institutions as well as lives and property, said the gesture would go down well in history, saying the company had written its name in gold in the annals of Kogi State.

Speaker Aliyu Umar Yusuf described the fire incidence that previously razed down the Assembly Complex as unfortunate adding that with the intervention of the state government, the incident has been put behind.

He stated that the security House would go a long way in enhancing the security in and around the Assembly Complex, adding that the gesture would not be taken for granted.

Responding, the Dangote Cement Plant Director, Engr Hazard Nawabudeen described the gesture as one of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) initiatives towards forging a healthy relationship with host communities.

Nawabudeen who was represented by the General Manager Human Assets, Mr Adeniyi Azeez, also stressed the importance of security, pointing out that interacting with an organisation with a porous security was not safe.

The Plant Director assured that the construction and donation of the facility to the Assembly would not be the end but rather the beginning of more and better relationship for more cooperation and support for and with the state assembly.

He added that the gesture would surely engender a robust mutual relationship between the company and Kogi Assembly.

In his remark, Alhaji Ahmed Chogudo, Clerk of the House and Head of Legislative Service conveyed the gratitude and appreciation of staff and management of the Assembly to Management of Dangote Cement Plant, Obajana.

He however urged the company to look into providing furniture and office facilities for the Security House saying that the request was imperative to facilitate and enhance the effectiveness of the security personnel deployed to the complex. (Ends)

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 National Update