The governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, has said the state is not a fertile land or destination for criminals to hide and carry out their evil trades.
According to the governor, there has been an influx of criminals as a result of the pushback from the North-East and North-West region but the state was dealing with them decisively.
Ododo spoke yesterday while addressing journalists during his official visit to the Abdullahi Ganduje-led National Working Committee of the All Progressives Conference (APC) at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
He said Kogi borders 10 states, including the FCT and as such, it experiences one form of insecurity or the other but what was being faced in the state and the country generally could be brought down through collective efforts.
Ododo said in the last 14 months, his administration had made significant strides, from stabilising the security architecture to boosting agricultural productivity, driving infrastructure 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 Northeast and Northwest. 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.
The governor pledged his unflinching royalty to President Bola Tinubu, his predecessor, former governor Yahaya Bello and the party for his elevation to the office.
