The Coordinator of the Ebira Youth Organization, Abuja, Alhaji Mohammed Bashir Abdul Salam, has commended Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, over what he described as the administration’s security initiatives in the state.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, Bashir said the state’s security approach, which involves collaboration between conventional security agencies and local hunters and vigilante groups, had contributed to efforts to tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities.

He noted that Governor Ododo retained retired Commodore Jerry Omodara with high military knowledge as Security Adviser and enrolled local hunters and vigilante members on the state payroll to support community-based security operations  further boosted its security strategy.

Bashir also referred to the recent Kogi State Security Summit and Strategic Fundraising Event held in Abuja, where government officials, security agencies and traditional rulers discussed measures aimed at strengthening security coordination and improving security infrastructure across the state.

According to him, the summit focused on improving intelligence gathering, logistics and support for the Kogi State Security Trust Fund.

He further referenced recent security operations in the state, including the recovery of arms and ammunition, the establishment of the Violent Crime Response Unit in Lokoja, and the prosecution of suspected kidnappers.

Bashir said Kogi’s security approach could provide useful input to the ongoing national conversation on the proposed establishment of state police in Nigeria.