Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has attributed the rising wave of insecurity in the North-Central region to the influx of terrorists fleeing intensified military operations in the North-East and North-West.
Ododo made the disclosure on Friday while speaking with journalists after a meeting with the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by the party’s National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, at the APC national secretariat in Abuja.
He said the security pressure mounted by the military in the North-East and North-West had forced many insurgents and armed criminals to migrate into neighbouring North-Central states, including Kogi, where they now attempt to establish new strongholds.
“The recent influx of criminals is as a result of the pushback from the North-East and North-West,” the governor stated. “I call them criminals because no sane person lives in the forest. They are not welcome in Kogi, and they have met stiff resistance.”
Ododo’s comment comes just two days after President Bola Tinubu visited Benue State to condole with the victims of the June 13 massacre in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area, where dozens were reported killed by suspected herdsmen and militia groups.
The Kogi governor, while assuring residents of continued safety, said most of the attackers who attempted to infiltrate Kogi have been neutralised by security forces.
“They come in their numbers but return in zeros,” he said. “They enter our territory with phones ringing, but once they step into Kogi, that number becomes permanently unreachable. We don’t shout about security strategies, but we are dealing with them decisively.”
Ododo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to securing lives and property across the state, stressing that the government remains on top of the situation.
“We are very comfortable with our security framework. We’ve signed up to protect the lives and livelihoods of our people, and we are doing exactly that in Kogi State,” he added.
The military has in recent months intensified offensives against terrorists and bandits in Borno, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna States, with several reports indicating the displacement of insurgents into central Nigeria.
Security experts have warned that without adequate coordination and intelligence-sharing between affected states, the migration of armed groups could prolong Nigeria’s security crisis.
'
'
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
