Kogi govt urges residents, travellers to ignore false alarm on insecurity

The Kogi State Government has charged residents of the state, and travellers to ignore an alarm that the state has been inhabited by criminals.

Governor Yahaya Bello’s Security Adviser (SA), Retired Commodore Jerry Omodara, dismissed the alarm while speaking to newsmen in Lokoja, the state capital on Wednesday.

Recently, a notice had circulated in the state, warning those visiting the state to avoid some specified parts of the state.

“Kogi State is hot for now. For those visiting Kogi State to see family and friends please avoid this areas, Jimgbe, Elete, Emoro, Geregu down to Ajaokuta.

“Also, avoid Obajana old road. Even if you are stuck in traffic due to the new bridge construction, please avoid the old road, it’s very dangerous,” the report read.

In dismissing the report, Omodara stated that “As things are in terms of security, there is no such a thing happening in Kogi. It’s all but falsehood.

“Trust us, we will not give anyone the chance to torment the people of Kogi as it used to be in the past. As it is, there is no cause for alarm as long as Kogi State is concerned.

READ ALSO:Yahaya Bello signs bill establishing Kogi 3rd varsity

“This is because criminals coming into the state are quickly harvested. We are harvesting them even with those who ran to other states as we ensure we go after them and bring them back to face prosecution.

“All we expect from the public is timely information and the security agencies will do their job.

“It’s true you can’t completely eliminate criminality in any society, but the compact system of neighborhood and the security architecture put in by the Federal Government in Kogi is working very well along with the will power of the Kogi Government to deal with the emerging security situation.

“If we have one or two security challenges, be sure we have nipped 6 or 7 or 8 in the bud.

“We all know what the security situation in Kogi was and what we are having now.

“The government of Gov Bello has been able to bring sanity in Kogi, where the people are very free, doing their legitimate businesses without any fear of harassment.

“Therefore, rather than escalating falsehood on social media, it’s better you channel information, whenever you discovered any security challenge or breach to the security operatives for prompt action.

“Till the last day of Alh. Yahaya Bello in office as governor, and even to the next government, we will continue to fight insecurity in Kogi for the good of our people.”

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now