The Kogi State Government has disclosed that some bandits operating in the state have begun making overtures for peace talks, indicating their willingness to surrender their weapons and abandon criminal activities.
The state’s Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd), made this known on Friday while speaking with journalists in Lokoja.
According to him, the development is a direct outcome of sustained security operations against criminal elements, including recent aerial and ground bombardments of bandits’ hideouts as well as the demolition of houses linked to criminal activities in parts of the state.
Commander Omodara explained that the present administration under Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has, over the past two years, significantly strengthened the fight against insecurity through the deployment of technology.
He noted that the use of technology has given security agencies an edge over criminals terrorising communities across the state.
He said, “Recall that during his inaugural address as the fifth Executive Governor of Kogi the Confluence State on January 27th 2024, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo vowed to do everything humanly possible to ensure safety of lives and property.
“One of the Strengths of the State Government is the use of Technology as plans are already in top gear to get more to take the fight to Criminals in the bush.”
The security adviser further revealed that the government has supplied several Hilux and Siena vehicles, as well as motorcycles, to the Army, Police, Vigilante groups and other security agencies to boost their operational effectiveness against criminal gangs.
He reiterated that one of the cardinal policies of the Ododo administration is its refusal to negotiate with criminals, stressing that the government will continue to intensify offensive operations by confronting them in their forest hideouts.
Commander Omodara also disclosed that the state government is working on legislation aimed at banning habitation in forests, insisting that residents of Kogi must live in towns or recognised settlements.
He added that beyond the displacement of bandits from northern areas due to bombardments, investigations have uncovered the involvement of local collaborators who aid the criminals in carrying out their activities.
“Both the bandits and their local collaborators are currently feeling the full wrath of the law as the government and security operatives sustained an onslaught on them with no hold bar”, he said.
Despite the recent rise in banditry and insurgency in parts of the country, the security adviser maintained that Kogi remains the safest state in the North Central zone, attributing this to effective intelligence gathering and the political will demonstrated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Ododo.
He also disclosed that more than 3,000 vigilante operatives have been recruited into the state workforce to strengthen ongoing security operations.
(DAILY TRUST)
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