Kogi State governor, Usman Ododo has declared that the North-Central state was not a fertile land or destination for criminals to hide and carry out their evil trade.
The governor noted that there has been influx of criminals as a result of the pushback from the North-East and North-West region, but assured that the state was dealing with the criminal elements decisively.
The North-Central region has been worst hit by insecurity recently with about 200 persons killed in Yelwata, Guma local government of Benue State by armed herders on June 13.
The killings in one fell swoop, prompted President Bola Tinubu, who was accompanied by almost all the governors in the zone to pay condolence visit to the state.
Governor Ododo spoke on the state of security in Kogi while addressing journalists during his official visit to the Dr Abdullahi Ganduje-led National Working Committee of the All Progressives Conference (APC) at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Friday.
He noted that Kogi borders 10 states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and as such, it experiences one form of insecurity or the other but maintained that what was being faced in the state and the country generally could be lowered through collective efforts.
Ododo said in the last 14 months, his administration has made significant strides, from stabilising the security to boosting agricultural productivity, driving infrastructural development and expanding access to social services across the state.
“We have over 32 mineral deposits in commercial quantity, but they have never worked for our dear state. In Kogi state, we have land, arable land that is good for any kind of crops, but it has never been put to use. This is part of those things that constitute insecurity.
“Recently, the influx of criminals, I call them criminals, because a normal human being cannot stay in the forest. The influx of these criminals is the result of the pushback from the North-East and North-West. Let me tell you, security issues or security strategies are not being discussed in the public.
“But I can tell you, Kogi State is not a fertile land. It’s not a free destination for them to come and trade. We are dealing with them decisively. They are hearing it. We don’t make noise. They always come in their numbers, but they go in their zeros. They will come with their handsets ringing, but as soon as they step their leg in Kogi state, that number will never be available. We are dealing with them,” he said.
He pledged his unflinching royalty President Tinubu, his predecessor, former Governor Yahaya Bello and the party – APC.
“Any river that forgets its source so soon will soon get dry. Where I was coming from, I made it a handbag to guide my conduct. My boss, Alhaji Yahaya Bello is just like a father. I was not born with a spoon. Talk more of classification.
“Where he picked me from, where God has used him to pick me from, that same point is still very fresh in me. Yahaya Bello is my boss. He’s my leader. He’s my mentor. He can get angry with me as a father. Please, if you observe or you get a feel of my boss angry with me, please just go and plead with him on my behalf,” Ododo said.
He further appreciated President Tinubu for supporting him. “He doesn’t know me from anywhere. But he sent his own support and that support, I’m holding it so dearly,” Ododo stated.
In his remarks, Ganduje lauded the Kogi governor for his recognition of party and harmonious relationship with his successor, saying the APC intellectual wing – The Progressive Institute, was embarking on a research to determine what is responsible for the friction between predecessors and successors; presidents, governors and their deputies.
“This is a problem that we have in Nigeria today, the relationship between a successor and a predecessor. So the intellectual wing of our party, you know our party, we are not governing by trial and error.
“We are not governing by beating about the bush. We are not governing by meddling with the poor. We are governing with knowledge.
“Therefore, Mr Governor, the intellectual wing of our party will conduct a research to find out what is the problem with succession. You shouldn’t be surprised when our researcher comes to you and asks you some questions. I think you have the knowledge,” he said.
