GOVERNOR YAHAYA BELLO ON THE VERGE OF WEEDING OUT CRIMINALS, AS SECURITY TEAM CONCLUDE STAKEHOLDERS SUMMIT.

The recent insecurity challenge that has bedevilled the relative peace of people of kogi state and its environs is of utmost concern to the government of the day which led to the conception of zonal security meeting targeted at having a close interface of the government, traditional rulers, religion leaders, L.G administrators, heads of various security operatives, traders, student union, transport unions, farmers, women leaders, herdsmen, youth leaders; to fashion a way via the dialogue platform created through which the insecurity menace such as theft, robbery, kidnapping, oil bunkery, electric line vandalism, thuggery, cultism, burgling and crimes of other shades can be curtailed.

The all inclusive zonal key players consultation on security issues which started from the East to West and then the Central was brought to an end on Monday with its replication at the seat of Government, Lokoja.
The summit was co-hosted by the duo of Hon. Shiru Lawal and Hon. (Barr.) Muhammed Musa Tanko, the Administrator of Lokoja and Kogi L.G respectively.

Hon. Shiru Lawal in his welcome address said both L.Gs have been reputed for peace which is why the recent unfortunate development calls for concern of all and sundry.
He commended the Governor who has in tandem with the New Direction Agenda, installed necessary machinery in place with the sole aim of putting the state at the lowest ebb of crime.
He expressed optimism that with the array of Security Chiefs and other critical Stakeholders involved, the bottle neck of insecurity posing threat to lives and properties of people in and around the state will be drastically reduced, and in no time, totally eradicated.
On behalf of the two L.Gs, he promised that as the Chief Security Officers of their respective L.Gs, they will double their effort through sustenance of the monthly peace and security meeting to keep themselves abreast of the security challenges with a view of having them addressed headlong.
He appreciated the Royal Fathers for their inputs to the maintenance of peace and tranquillity in their individual domain. He equally commended the security agents and other stakeholders for the high level of competence and professionalism deployed in discharging their duties.

The State Security Adviser, Navy Commandant Jerry Omodara in his Mission Statement implored the citizens to cooperate with the security operatives with regards to useful tips that can aid them carry out their duties. He also rang a bell of assurance that information divulged will be handled with high level of secrecy to ensure source protection.
He said the security men will soon intensity effort in curtailing crimes at places like Kabawa, Ganaja junction, Kaba junction, NUJ Press Centre etc.
He advised parents to warn their wards not to be seen in this areas at odd hours. He said the current administration will soon launch "Operation Total Freedom".

The Representative of the Governor, SA on MLG&CA, Engr (Alh) Abubakar S. Ohere in his address took his audience on a short memory lane; featuring the pre, proper and post election experiences which he said amply informed the Governor, the exact status of the state. He said upon the assumption of office by His Excellency, it occurred to him that if the conceived new direction must be birthed alive, the usual culture where the government from her comfort zone presumes the immediate demands of her citizens must be jettisoned, so his prime point of call was to embark on a Need Analysis Quest across the three Senatorial Districts which materialised in to the New Direction Socioeconomic Blueprint... a compendium of the basic needs and wants of the Citizens of Kogi State both in the Rural and Urban Areas.
He went ahead to enumerate some of the achievements and the developmental plans of this administration as follow:
-A standard administrative block for the police force in Lokoja.
-All erosion prone points are being identified and simultaneously being attended to.
-The Lokoja Ultra-Modern Motor Park also receiving top priority attention.
-Contractors reawakened back to sites with constructions/ rehabilitations ongoing.
-Preparations concluded with management strategies in place on Flood Threat.
-Water Projects equally being executed in Lokoja.
-Government atop gears on investment drives, to ensure enough investors are wooed in to the state.
-The Chinese Investors that are going to develop Mount Pati to rank as a sort of Obudu Cattle Ranch, are already on ground.
-Other Investors interested in Agricultural Development are all in the state already.
"However, all these Investors both Foreign and Local need an unwavering confidence and assurance from the government that their assets and personnel will be secured. Insecurity is the chief reason most of them haven't mobilised their workers to sites", Ohere expressed.
While calling on the Royal Fathers in attendance to attest to his claims, he said that the government of Alh Yahaya Adoza Bello has repositioned the Traditional Institution such that they are now currently being engaged on matters of policies and programmes that will guide the state government. He added that their welfares are being addressed with other incentive packages.
He said it is not a hidden fact that, one of the easiest way through which communal unrest can emanate is Royal Tussle; and that there are over 275 graded traditional rulers across the state in his Ministry. That, on assumption of duties, almost half of the institutions were in court for one litigation or the other. His Excellency in his wisdom, directed the ministry to wade in and ensure amicable resolution off the courts. He said following the advice of the Governor, except for only few challenges, almost all disputes and litigations regarding Chieftainship have been laid to rest with the cases withdrawn from courts and parties at genuine peace with each other.

The Special Adviser implied that the condition of the State and its Manager is likened to that of a Farmer before a Forest at full climax. The picture of a beautiful garden in his head drives his arms in hacking down the thick woods. Surely, the pre-planting operations i.e clearing, stumping, burning, harrowing etc won't come without some cuts and fatigues; but the return with bounty harvests will overtake his pains.

He asked for the understanding of those who think the government is not too forthcoming. He recalled that, like the Governor said in a function during the week end.... that Kogites should assume a sojourner who has been on a wrong track for ages only to suddenly discover he is progressing against his very destination. Changing to a New Direction is as good as starting afresh which reboots the system. The good news is that, a guiding compass and a clearly defined road map (encompassing the terrains, features, obstacles and distance) has been secured; arriving at the promise land is just time, determination and patience away.
He drew the curtain on his address with the presentation of copies of the New Direction document to the representative of Ohimege of Koton-Karfi.

The Commissioner of Police in his address said, he has no iota of doubt that by the time the mobility support package from the government is commissioned for security agencies in the state irrespective of their organisation or department; criminality in the land will earn a space on the pages of history.
He said they are expecting about 5 Units i.e 500 policemen to join the forces on ground in combating crime.
He said aside the four area commands (Lokoja, Kaba, Okene and Idah), he has received directive from the Inspector General of Police to propose addition Area Commander Zones in the stare with the aim of bringing down full security arrangements and operations to the state.
He added that in no distant time, the Inspector General of Police will be in the state during which he is scheduled to engage in interactive session with eminent personalities, top government functionaries and security personnel in the state towards fighting criminality in the state to a stand still.
He reiterated that the government is owing up to her responsibilities of security provision and it is left for the citizens to play their own part by means of adequate provision of useful information that can assist the security agencies in crime fighting.

The NSCDC Commandant said, security is everyone's business and as such, all hands must be on deck if the battle against criminality in the land must be won. He said those perpetuating these various degrees of crimes are no ghosts but humans living among us. He called for volunteering of information to help the security men.

The Chairman of Kogi L.G, Hon. (Barr.) M.M Tanko in his address, appreciated the Governor through the SA on MLG&CA.
He said when the robbery and kidnapping on highway around Koton-Karfe was on the high side, Engr. Ohere visited the L.G during which he advised him and his team to clear trees, grasses and shrubs by the road side of their renown rendezvous as the bushes serve as their safe haven for ambushing unsuspecting motorists. He said, he immediately acted on the advise and mobilised youth for the clearing of the identified points from Koton-Karfe down to Abaji in the FCT; and to the glory of God, crime index at such danger zones is approaching zero.

He further said, after the jail break in Koton-Karfe few weeks back during which 13 inmates escaped, the Honourable Special Adviser immediately visited Kogi L.G and had interaction with the Vigilante Group during which he charged them with words of encouragement from the government. The Vigilante dispatched a hunt squad to comb the tick forest and returned with 5 of the escapees rearrested in just 2 hours; 3 were later apprehended making 8 in all.

The Women Representative adding her voice to the subject matter opined, that the alarming rate at which able men camouflaging as beggars flood Lokoja with unchecked luggage should be a thing of concern to the government. She added that, in most State Capitals, street marauding by beggars is no longer encouraged.

The SSA Commandant J. Omodara in a swift response, said the government is not unaware of the influx of beggars in to the state. He said information reaching his desk has it that vehicles from various axis drop unidentified persons at Ganaja junction by midnights. "And on this note, plans are in place to put security in place there 24 hours so their entry can be checked and those on ground without a defined legal means of livelihood will be taken on. He equally said the Immigration Officers will be empowered at Murtala Bridge with a check post erected to scrutinise incoming vehicles to ensure we are not playing hosts to terrorists and criminals", he assured.

The Spokesperson of Miyeti'Allah, the canopy body of Cattle Breeders in Nigeria, in his contribution, appreciated the Governor and his team for the outfit on security matters. In striking words he said, this is the first time in the history of Kogi State that a convergence of such nature is being conceptualised to the point of considering their folks as opinion figures. He said the sense of belonging offered is a treasure they will live never forget. He assured the government that the good and innocent Fulanis in Kogi state will support His Excellency 101 percent in his fight against insecurity. He appealed that not all Fulanis are criminals and as such, people should not capitalize on such perception to stigmatize, intimidate or harass the good ones going about their legal businesses in the state. He declared his confidence in the government of Alh Yahaya Adoza Bello for a fair treatment for his people across the state, in the face of those he described as unscrupulous few patronising criminality and in turn, painting an unpleasant image of the entirety of the Fulanis.

In the same vein, The Spokesman of the Vigilante Groups promised to continue to offer their own quota of effort in combating insecurity. He however pled for total cooperation and sincerity on the side of the police, citing instances where they captured criminals and hand over to the police only to find them recycled back in to the community in few days.

The Commissioner of Police in his response advised that they should always endeavour to avail themselves to testify against such as they can't detain people for more than 24 hours or maximum 48 hours as the case may be without evidence(s) against such detainee. He added that there are cases where some individuals are victimised by false accusation owing to some differences between him and a supposed security agent. He said in such situation, it becomes morally wrong to continue holding such person in detention after his/her innocence is established via an independent background enquiry by the police.
He thereby appealed to the Judiciary especially the Department of Prosecution to always play their part diligently.
He urged the Vigilantes to ensure they register with the D.P.O in their various community as any unregistered self acclaimed vigilante will be termed as a criminal.

Alh Mukaila Dauda, the Madaki of Koton-karfe, representing HRM Alh. Abdulrazaq Gambo Sanni Isah Koto, the Ohimege of Koton Karfe; on his part, appreciated the Governor and his dependable team for the laudable effort on security matters. He prayed for the success of the government and pledged full support to her policies.





Alh. Ahmadu Bala, the representative of HRH Alh. Muhammadu Kabir, the Maigari III of Lokoja while bearing his mind said, Kasuwawa (behind Ibro Int'l) Market) be included in the target list of places for cleansing as the place is known by many residents of Lokoja to be a breeding centre for gangsterism, thuggery, cultism and all other forms of social vices.
The eyes of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), commended the government for prioritizing the safety of her citizens. He swore the unalloyed alliance of the Council to the government in her strive to make Kogi a crime free home for all.

Hon. M.M Tanko of Kogi L.G, in his closing remark expressed his gratitude to the stakeholders for gracing the Summit with their presence despite the inconvenience created by the earlier trade of date.
A closing prayer was immediately ushered in by a Cleric to call it a day.

Abubakar Ejide Ozioto
writes from Lokoja.