Governor Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State has raised concerns over rising insecurity in the state, attributing it to the spillover effect of criminal activities from the crisis-ridden Northeast and Northwest regions of Nigeria.
Speaking in Abuja on Friday during a visit to the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ododo emphasized that Kogi should not be mistaken as a refuge for criminals fleeing military offensives elsewhere.
“Kogi State is not a fertile land or a free destination for criminals. We are dealing with them decisively. They are hearing it, we don’t make noise,” he declared.
The governor highlighted Kogi’s geographic vulnerability, explaining that its central location exposes it to infiltration by armed groups escaping pressure from security operations in other parts of the country.
He also pointed to underexploited natural and agricultural resources as underlying factors contributing to insecurity.
“Kogi State borders 10 states, including the FCT. A state that borders this number of states will definitely, whether you like it or not, experience one form of insecurity or the other. But what we are facing today in Kogi State and the country in general is something we can all join hands together to address,” Ododo said.
“In Kogi State, we have over 32 mineral deposits in commercial quantity, but they have never worked for our dear state. We have arable land that is good for any kind of crops, but it has never been put to use.”
He linked the growing presence of armed elements in forest areas to the success of military campaigns in other parts of the country, which are pushing these groups further south.
“This is part of what contributes to insecurity. The recent influx of criminals, I call them criminals because a normal human being cannot stay in the forest, is a result of the pushback from the Northeast and Northwest,” he added.
Governor Ododo reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to protecting the lives and property of Kogi residents, assuring that security remains a top priority.
