Kogi State governor, Usman Ahmed Ododo, has raised fresh alarm that commanders of deadly bandit groups have relocated to forests in Kogi East in a bid to escalate attacks on communities in the state.
Ododo spoke on Thursday during an interactive session with journalists at the Government House in Lokoja, moments after an emergency meeting of the State Security Council and consultations with senior security commanders and traditional rulers.
The governor admitted that the insecurity challenge was not limited to Kogi State alone, describing it as part of a broader national crisis.
He stressed that his administration would not “bow to criminals” or engage in ransom bargaining.
Ododo said, “Before now, you will hear of shooting in schools and residents across the world… we have to put heads together to save our people. We have come to brainstorm and see a way out, and provide our people with the needed security.
“The major commanders of the bandits have relocated to Kogi state in the last three days, but we will not wait for them to fight us; we will take the fight to them.
“We are not going to bow to the criminals, we are not going to negotiate with them; we are not going to pay ransom, we are going to sensitise our people to be security conscious of their activities.”
The governor confirmed that the State Security Council had resolved to impose immediate security timing restrictions across Kogi State.
Addressing the wave of circulating misinformation, the government released a counter-statement through the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo.
Fanwo said, “The satanic panic being circulated by mischief makers is baseless and should be completely dismissed.
“We urge our people to go about their lawful businesses without fear. Government is working around the clock with all security agencies to guarantee the safety and security of every Kogite, wherever they live or stay.”
A rumour of a bandits’ attack in the Lokoja metropolis spread widely around 11.30 am on Thursday, disrupting socio-economic activities for hours in Lokoja, particularly at the Zango, Crusher and Felele ends of the capital city.
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