Kogi insecurity: I won't negotiate with criminals - Gov Bello issues stern warning

- Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi said he is not the type of state chief executive who will negotiate with criminals

- The governor has issued a stern warning to criminals in Kogi to repent or face the wrath of his administration

- Governor Bello warned that those who want to cause unrest in his domain will be resisted by all means and treated as criminals

Kogi governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has warned that his administration would deal ruthlessly with all criminal elements in the state, adding that he would not negotiate with bandits under any guise.

The governor made the statement at the just concluded Northcentral Security Summit held in Lafia, Nasarawa state on Wednesday, January 22.

Governor Bello said with the cooperation of the security agencies, traditional rulers and citizens of the state, the Kogi government dealt with insecurity which was commonplace before his administration came on board.

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He said the criminals in the state who have refused to turn a new leaf should not be negotiated with, adding that those who want to cause unrest will be resisted and treated as criminals.

He assured the people from the north-central region that governments from the zone will collaborate in terms of security intelligence gathering to form a strong synergy to flush out bandits in the region.

The move by the governors is seen as a bold step to address the issues of security bedevilling the region as the north-central zone is one of the worst-hit regions in the country in terms of insecurity.

The move is also seen as a deliberate effort by individual states to take their own destinies in their hands as federal government security agencies appear overwhelmed by the frequent attacks on local communities.

Already, some of the states including Kogi have floated make-shift vigilante groups trying to keep the peace in their domain.

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Governor Bello's solid achievements in terms of security since he assumed office are well documented.

Meanwhile, the Kogi state government said it would strengthen its own borders to avoid infiltration by external forces especially following the launch of Operation Amotekun in the southwest region.

Special adviser to the state governor on security, Commandant Jerry Omodara (rtd), said the state being at the centre of the country may experience some infiltration by fleeing criminals from the southwest region.

His words: “What the southwest governors are doing now in terms of Amotekun is nothing different from having vigilante groups. It is only the name that is different. Kogi state is well ahead of them in terms of setting up its vigilante.

“We are also aware that Kogi state may experience an influx of people especially now that Operation Amotekun has taken off. You know Kogi is not only in the centre of the country but also shares borders with nine other states.

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“What we plan to do is to strengthen our borders to guide against the influx of criminals who may be running away from these southwest states.”

North-central states are currently battling with banditry, herdsmen attacks, kidnapping and various other crimes ravaging the region.

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Recently, the senator representing Niger East senatorial district, Mohammed Sani Musa raised alarm over the incessant killings of his constituents by bandits in the last few weeks.

In a statement he signed over the weekend, the lawmaker described as unfortunate the fresh attacks in the area from Tuesday, January 14 which left two persons, including a village head dead while over 30 persons were abducted.

“For several months now, my people have not had a moment of solitude. Bandits have taken away sleep from their eyes, be it in the day time or at night.

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“Many lives have been cut short, women have been raped, some even before their spouse, children have been turned to orphans and many have been abducted with huge ransoms being demanded,” the senator lamented.

Recall that Plateau state governor, Simon Lalong recently disclosed that a similar security outfit to Amotekun for the north will soon be unveiled.

Lalong said this while speaking to Aso Villa correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, January 10.

Meanwhile, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council has called on the southeast governors to emulate their southwest colleagues by creating a joint security outfit for the region.

The group's president, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and the secretary-general, Okwu Nnabuike, made the request in a statement.

The group, which expressed readiness to assist the governors on the project, said the joint security outfit will address the security challenges facing the southeast region.

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