By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh
Government House, Lokoja
June 13, 2026
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed his administration’s uncompromising stance against criminality, declaring that no part of the state will be surrendered to bandits, kidnappers, or other criminal elements threatening the peace and security of the people.
Speaking at the Government House, Lokoja during an inspection of newly procured Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and other security assets acquired by the state government, Governor Ododo said the protection of lives and property remains the foremost responsibility of his administration and a sacred covenant he made with the people of Kogi State upon assuming office.
According to the Governor, security is a collective necessity and the foundation upon which sustainable development can thrive.
“The day I took the oath of office to pilot the affairs of Kogi State was the day I entered into a covenant with our people to provide security for lives and property. We will continue to hunt down criminal elements and wipe them out from our land,” he declared.
Governor Ododo revealed that following a recent security briefing with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he returned to the state with renewed determination to confront criminal elements head-on after receiving a clear mandate to restore and sustain peace.
He noted that shortly after his return, criminal elements launched attacks in some communities, but were met with stiff resistance from security operatives due to the state’s proactive security measures and coordinated response strategy.
The Governor, who personally visited affected communities particularly Iluke to assess the situation firsthand, said he refused to rely on second-hand reports because of his hands-on leadership style.
“As a field worker, I do not wait for second-hand information. I went to the communities myself, assessed the terrain and the situation on the ground, and concluded that we must act decisively before these criminals take advantage of our people,” he said.
Governor Ododo disclosed that the state government has commenced the deployment of specialized security equipment, including armoured protective vehicles, to support security agencies in combating emerging threats.
He warned that criminal groups have become increasingly sophisticated, employing modern technology such as drones and operating in coordinated groups, making security operations more challenging.
“Bandits are changing tactics. They now use drones and operate in organized groups. But we have studied their strategies, and we are responding effectively. We are taking the fight to them and eliminating them one after another,” he stated.
The Governor also revealed that intelligence reports recently exposed attempts by criminal gangs to disguise themselves and deceive local communities, stressing that security agencies and local vigilantes have remained vigilant and successfully foiled such tactics.
He commended the bravery and collaboration of local hunters, vigilantes, the Nigerian Army, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies working tirelessly to secure the state.
Governor Ododo announced that the state had ordered 50 armoured protective vehicles to strengthen ongoing security operations, with the first batch already delivered and deployed.
“No amount of resources is too much when it comes to saving lives. We are ready to invest whatever it takes to protect our people and secure every community in Kogi State,” he affirmed.
In one of his strongest declarations yet, Governor Ododo categorically ruled out any form of negotiation with criminals, insisting that his administration would neither pay ransom nor engage in deals with bandits.
“I will never negotiate with criminals. I will never pay ransom to bandits. The money that would have been used for ransom is better invested in equipping our security agencies to confront and defeat them. They must leave our land,” he declared.
The Governor reiterated that his administration remains resolute in its determination to reclaim every inch of Kogi territory from criminal elements and ensure lasting peace across the state.
