The Kogi State Government has vowed to take the battle against criminal activities directly to the hideouts of offenders, signaling a shift from defensive to offensive security strategies.
Speaking during a TrustTV News programme, Daily Politics, on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Ismaila Isah, emphasized that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is committed to safeguarding lives and property through consistent security operations.
According to Isah, the administration has adopted an aggressive approach to confronting crime, targeting criminals even before they strike.
“We are perhaps the only state in Nigeria taking the fight to the criminals in their hideouts rather than waiting for them to attack,” Isah said.
He revealed that the state government has maintained ongoing clearance operations, particularly around border areas shared with Kwara, Ekiti, Nasarawa, Benue, Ondo, and six other states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The spokesman highlighted the government’s strategy of collaborating with neighboring states to rid border areas of criminal elements. “Criminals often take refuge in forests along these borders, but we have remained consistent in flushing them out,” he added.
Isah outlined the administration’s efforts to strengthen security infrastructure by partnering with the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the military, and paramilitary agencies.
He noted that the government had earlier equipped security forces with over 300 vehicles and hundreds of motorcycles while recruiting and reorganizing nearly 3,000 vigilantes and local hunters.
These groups, earning wages above the state’s minimum wage, now form the backbone of community policing efforts.
Building on Past Successes
While acknowledging the contributions of former Governor Yahaya Bello, Isah credited the previous administration for overhauling the security framework, which earned the state recognition for its safety standards.
Governor Ododo’s government, he assured, has consolidated and expanded these efforts to sustain progress.
Addressing concerns about a mining ban, Isah clarified that the government only suspended local licensing to curb illegal mining activities that posed security threats.
“With sanity restored in the sector, we are now open to welcoming investors,” he said.
Isah praised the dedication of security operatives in Kogi, describing them as courageous and patriotic.
“These officers are among the best in the country. They continuously risk their lives to protect our citizens, and we are proud to support them,” he concluded.
With this renewed focus on proactive security measures and inter-state collaboration, the Ododo administration aims to make Kogi a model for combating insecurity in Nigeria.