Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo of Kogi State has declared that top bandit commanders have relocated to the state, prompting him to impose a severe restriction on public life, ordering that all social, religious, and community activities must conclude by 4:00 PM daily, effective immediately, until further notice.
The Governor announced the tough measures on Thursday following an emergency security stakeholders’ meeting in Lokoja with security agencies and traditional rulers. Ododo vowed the state would not negotiate with or pay ransom to the criminals but would take the fight to them.
The Governor’s preemptive strike is designed to minimize soft targets and disrupt the criminals’ network.
The major commanders of the bandits have relocated to Kogi state in the last three days but we will not wait for them to fight us; we will take the fight to them…We are not going to bow to the criminals, we are not going to negotiate with them; we are not going to pay ransom – Governor Ododo
He also issued a severe warning that any event centre or building found violating the 4 PM directive or harboring criminals would be demolished.
The Governor confirmed that security operatives have tracked major commanders of the bandits who relocated to Kogi State within the last three days.
The directive was issued amidst panic and disruption in the capital city, Lokoja, fueled by social media rumors of attacks near the Kogi State Polytechnic. The Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, dismissed the rumors as baseless, urging residents to remain calm.
His Royal Highness Tijani Anaje, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, speaking for the traditional rulers, pledged full cooperation with the government and security agencies to restore peace.
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