By Rotimi Odofin
Amid the increasing wave of insecurity affecting several parts of Kogi State, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has introduced proactive measures to guarantee the safety of all citizens. The Governor has taken decisive action against bandits and terrorists hiding within the state, with their activities being closely monitored by the state security agencies. The government’s strategies consistently remain ahead of any attempts to destabilise the state, marking a significant milestone in restoring peaceful coexistence.
Recently, Governor Ododo addressed the press following a high-level security meeting with security chiefs and traditional rulers, where he emphasised that the main focus of his security measures is to proactively target bandits in their hideouts, ensuring they have no chance to strike first. He declared that his administration is committed to making the state inhospitable for criminal activities.
It is worth noting that Governor Ododo has introduced robust security measures to combat banditry in Kogi State, focusing on intelligence-led operations and community engagement. The administration has prioritised equipping security forces and fostering inter-agency collaboration to address the persistent threats in vulnerable areas. Key strategies include increased patrols, deployment of specialised units, and technological surveillance to track and apprehend criminal elements.
The governor has also emphasised the importance of local vigilante groups and traditional leaders in intelligence gathering and maintaining peace within their communities.
Ododo’s security approach extends to tackling the root causes of insecurity, such as unemployment and poverty, through various empowerment programmes aimed at engaging the youth and providing alternative livelihoods. This holistic strategy seeks to disrupt the recruitment pipelines for bandit groups and foster a more resilient and secure environment for the citizens of Kogi State.
It is with great delight that I acknowledge the fact that Governor Ododo’s security measures in Kogi State have produced mixed results in tackling the banditry crisis. While the governor has implemented a 4:00 p.m. ban on social, community, religious, and political activities in response to daily bandit attacks, new incidents of violence and abductions are still being recorded.
However, the governor attributes the increasing insecurity in the North-central region, including Kogi, to the influx of terrorists fleeing intensified military operations in the North-east and North-west.
He has stated that while criminals “come in their numbers, they go in their zeros” in Kogi, implying successful engagements by state forces.
On the other hand, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has also reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to addressing security challenges in Kogi and across the federation, pledging strategic cooperation with state governments. Troops in Kogi have successfully foiled ambushes, neutralised bandits, and rescued kidnapped victims, demonstrating active efforts against criminal groups.
It is heartening to observe that Ododo’s administration has made substantial achievements in strengthening the security sector of Kogi State. Among these is the integration of all vigilantes into the state civil service, a move designed to formalise and professionalise community security efforts while increasing accountability.
The administration has continued to prioritise community policing through various initiatives, such as providing new security vehicles and establishing a Quick Response Unit.
Additional measures include the recruitment and equipping of 1,050 hunters and the commissioning of a new security outfit in Kaba. A major step towards boosting community policing initiatives, this was further reinforced when the governor donated 120 vehicles and 44 motorcycles to the State Vigilante Services to enhance their operational capacity.
More security vehicles have been supplied to vigilante services, with commitments for further support to facilitate their operations, including all necessary logistics. Ongoing efforts also focus on improving the welfare and numbers of vigilantes through recruitment and training.
The broader context of banditry in Northern Nigeria shows that military force alone is insufficient, and a multi-layered strategy addressing root causes such as poverty, weak institutions, and farmer-herder conflicts is essential for sustainable peace.
