Gov Ododo reiterates commitment to weed criminals out of Kogi

Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has again reiterated his administration’s commitment to weed criminal elements out of Kogi State.

Ododo disclosed this on Friday during the unveiling of new operational vehicles for the Kogi State Vigilante Service in Lokoja.

He said, “These operational security vehicles which is the first installment of several hundreds to be provided over the next few weeks will advance the safety and security of lives and property in all parts of the state as it stands as one of our most significant operational response yet to recent upsurge in criminal activities in some parts of the state.

“The recent launch of the Metropolitan Quick Response in Lokoja and other major towns in the state and this unveiling of operational vehicles are among series of evolving security measures geared towards ensuring that we keep our environment safe and to build on the solid foundation of the security architecture laid by the immediate past administration in the state.

“As we embark on consistent review of the security situation in the state, let me state unequivocally that our resolve to maintain law and order in all parts of the state is total and the fight against criminals in our state must be won.

“We cannot, and we will not, allow criminal elements to undermine the progress and prosperity we have worked so hard to achieve in our state.”

The governor commended President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to reverse the security challenges in the country.

According to him, “As a government, we are in total support of Mr President in his determination to take the fight to the terrorists in all parts of the county as we have seen in recent onslaughts to degrade cells of bandits and terrorists across Nigeria.

“We want to further assure Mr President that we are fully committed to a comprehensive approach to address security challenges in the state and our country in general and we shall stand shoulder to shoulder with Mr President to identify and bring remnant of these criminals and their sponsors to justice in no time.

“Mr President is aware of the strategic implications of any breach of security in Kogi as a gateway state to the North and the South and that is why he is giving us all the support required to ensure the security of lives and property in all corners of the state.

“Our renewed onslaught against criminals in the state will be operational in all communities with the ability to provide 24 hours response by a joint team of vigilante service men and conventional security agencies to enhance intelligence gathering and shorter response time to distress calls as a model for community policing in Nigeria.”