Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, has unveiled a fresh wave of security measures aimed at countering escalating threats across the state, vowing to stay ahead of bandits and terrorists seeking refuge within its borders.
In a statement published on the state’s official website, Ododo disclosed that security agencies are actively tracking criminal hideouts and tightening surveillance across vulnerable communities. He stressed that his administration is committed to frustrating any plot that could disrupt the peace and stability of Kogi.
The governor spoke further during a press briefing held after a high-level security meeting with service chiefs and traditional rulers. He explained that the new strategy focuses on striking criminals before they strike, a shift meant to dismantle bandit networks before they can regroup or launch fresh attacks.
According to him, the ultimate goal is to make Kogi State a hostile environment for anyone involved in kidnapping, terrorism, banditry, or any other form of violent crime.
To reinforce this mission, Ododo has intensified efforts to equip security operatives with advanced tools, improve coordination among agencies, and strengthen patrol operations in hotspots. These tactics include deploying specialized units, expanding night and rural patrols, and integrating technological surveillance systems to track suspects in real time.
The governor also highlighted the crucial role of grassroots intelligence. Local vigilante groups, community leaders, and traditional institutions are being empowered to work hand-in-hand with formal security agencies—an approach Ododo believes is key to preventing attacks before they occur.
Beyond the security operations, the administration is adopting a broader strategy to address the underlying conditions that fuel crime. Ododo has launched empowerment initiatives targeting youth unemployment and poverty, hoping to redirect vulnerable young people away from criminal networks and reduce the pool of potential recruits for bandit groups.
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Despite the measures—including a strict 4:00 p.m. restriction on social, religious, community, and political gatherings—occasional attacks and abductions continue to surface. Still, the governor maintains that Kogi remains resilient, attributing the recent surge in violence to terrorists fleeing intense military pressure in the North-East and North-West.
Ododo insisted that although criminal elements may infiltrate the state in numbers, they leave “in their zeros,” reflecting what he describes as the effectiveness of Kogi’s security response.
