By Ojotule Romanus
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Odoodo, has read the riot act to bandits and other criminals in the state warning that the State Government will be harder on those fueling the heightened insecurity in the country.
Consequently, the governor has issued an Executive Proclamation aimed at dismantling criminal networks and other support systems within and outside the state.
The governor’s warning and measures are coming on the heels of emerging security challenges in the state.
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In line with this development, the governor has warned that henceforth, any one found collaborating with bandits, terrorists, or other criminal elements would be treated as an enemy of the state.
Governor Ododo made the declaration while briefing Government House Press Crew after an expanded State Security Council Meeting with Head of Security Chiefs in Government House, Lokoja.
According to him, the proclamation was part of broader efforts to strengthen security across the state inline with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s direction to governors to prioritise the safety and welfare of citizens.
He used the forum to reassure residents that his administration was working in synergy with the Federal Government to serve the citizens ; just as he stressed that the State Government would take the fight against insecurities to the hideout of the criminals.
According to him, credible intelligence gathering, revealed that some individuals, including influential figures and politicians, allegedly enter Kogi State with fake security operatives to support criminal activities, thereby complicating security operations.
And to address this ugly development, Governor Ododo desclosed that henceforth, any individual or organisation that knowingly supports, harbours, aids, abeits, or shows material solidarity with bandits, terrorists, or other criminal groups operating in Kogi State or provides support from outside the state would be regarded as criminal collaborators and would be dealt with according to the law.
The proclamation also targets vendors, transporters, suppliers, and commercial entities found providing logistics, funding, food, fuel, communication facilities, or other material assistance criminal groups, such person, he pointed out that would be investigated, arrested, and prosecuted.
Also, professional bodies, individuals, or firms found to be knowingly facilitating, financing, shielding, or providing services to criminals groups beyond what is permitted by law would also face prosecution.
Governor Ododo further announced that henceforth, all security operatives entering or operating within Kogi State wiill be required to properly identify themselves and present valid operational credentials when demanded
In addition, he said a security monitoring team comprising representative of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of the State Security Service ( DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps NSCDC, and other paramilitary agencies would be established to verify and clear security personnel.
The security monitoring team, the governor said, would be stationed at border communities and key entry points into the state. He warned that any individuals found operative or operating without valid authorisation would be arrested and prosecuted.
The Governor also deslosed that VIPs or organisation bringing fake security personnel into the state would also face the full wrath of the law.
He pointed out that the proclamation was not in any way, a declaration of a state of emergency, nor did it suspend the Constitution, or authorised unlawful arrest, detention, or infringement of fundamental rights.
According to him, these measures were solely to enhance coordinating among security agencies and protect citizens from criminal elements, including fake security operatives.
The proclamation takes effect upon publication in the Kogi State official Gazette.
In a related development, Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Odoodo, has announced the recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition from criminal hideoutes during a recent joint security operation in the state.
Governor Ododo who made the disclosure while briefing Government House Press Crew in Lokoja explained that the operation followed about a week of sustained intelligence gathering by security agencies working in synergy with the state government.
The Governor listed part of the arms and ammunition recovered to includes; 24 Ak-47 rifles, 23 pump-action rifles, one Tavor rifle, one FN rifle, Four Barrett Pistols, Four Browing rifles, 42 Magazines, 562 rounds of GPMG 7.62 ammunitions, and large quantities of AK-47 ammunitions, and cartridges for pump-action and Barrett Pistols.
Others are handcuffs, 13 holsters, tear gas cartridges, and submachine gun SMG components.
Meanwhile, Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has clarified that his Executive Proclamation on Security Protocols in the state is not a declaration of a state of emergency but a set of necessary measures to enhance the security architecture to crackdown on criminals in all parts of the state.
This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Hon. Ismaila Isah, explaining that the proclamation is a lawful constitutional measure aimed at strengthening security coordination and protecting lives and property across Kogi State.
Gov. Ododo emphasised that it was within his powers as the Chief Security Officer of the state under Section 14 subsection 2(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
He noted that the proclamation seeks to enhance collaboration among security agencies without suspending constitutional rights or declaring a state of emergency.
The Governor explained that the measures include verification of security operatives, mandatory identification checks, and prosecution of anyone aiding or abetting criminal elements such as bandits and terrorists.
He also clarified that the proclamation aims to curb the rise of fake security personnel and improve the overall security architecture of Kogi State.
He warned that individuals or organisations found supporting criminal activities will be treated as enemies of the state and prosecuted under applicable laws.
The Governor further stressed that all properties used in the commission of such crimes shall be forfeited to the Kogi State Government.
This, in addition to relevant constitutional provisions is backed by the Kogi State Anti-Kidnapping, Robbery and Terrorism Law of 2016, which empowers the state government to seize properties and assets used in the perpetration of violent crimes in any part of the state.
The Governor expressed gratitude to security agencies for their efforts and reassured residents of his administration’s commitment to peace and security.
It would be recalled that Governor Ododo recently rolled out a number of security protocols following the recovery of a large cache of weapons in the state by security agencies acting on intelligence.
