Gov. Ahmed Ododo of Kogi has empowered the newly recruited 1,050 Hunters in the state with security gadgets and safety materials to boost community policing.
Ododo, who superintended over the gadgets’ distribution on Thursday in Lokoja, charged the hunters to deal decisively with criminals and ensure protection of lives and property across the state.
“We are all Kogites, we must protect ourselves. Kogi is not a free-trade zone for criminals; you have government’s backing to protect the land, when you see them, deal with them decisively.
“We are not new in this game, criminals must be wiped out of our land.
“We are good people and God knows why he created us as a people, Kogi State is blessed with numerous mineral deposits if you want to trade with us, we are ready to trade with you.
“But if you are coming with criminal intention, we are ever ready to fish you out and deal with you decisively,” Ododo warned.
The governor maintained that the security of lives and property remained his number one responsibility to the people of Kogi.
“Our resolve to evolve a grassroots-led security approach and engage our hunters was amplified by their courageous and professional conduct during our rescue efforts that led to the release of 29 of the 31 Kidnapped students from CUSTECH.
“Our faith in the people-led security approach as a new strategy is a clear manifestation of our determination to recalibrate our security architecture,” said.
A cross section of the newly recruited Hunters in Kogi
He commended Kogi House of Assembly for the prompt approval of the recruitment of 1,050 hunters to complement the efforts of the conventional security agencies.
“We are at an advanced stage to insure the lives of the hunters.
“We are also distributing security gadgets and safety materials such as Level 4 Ballistic Vests to fend off bullet attacks as well as boots to help them move around in the forests unhurt among other materials.
“In our fight against terror, we must agree that battlefields have changed and technology has evolved.
“We are determined to fight at different levels and secure our land and people. Kogi will be steps ahead of the enemies of peace,” he said.
The governor advised the hunters to exhibit the highest level of responsibility and discipline in the discharge of their duties, expressing his confidence in their capacity, discipline, patriotism and professionalism.
Ododo said that his administration was determined to combine both kinetic and the non-kinetic approach to ensure security.
“We are creating an environment that is birthing new jobs for our teeming youth. We are making education free to ensure every child is educated.
“However, we will go after the criminal elements with our wall of strength. We shall win,” he added.
He urged the hunters to collaborate effectively with security agencies devoid of any kind of rivalry.
Ododo thanked President Bola Tinubu for making it possible for states to introduce local solutions to curtail the activities of criminals, and commended the National Security Adviser for constantly supporting efforts to make Kogi safe for all.
He appreciated the heads of security agencies for giving proper orientation to the recruited hunters on the rules of their engagement, adding that the collaboration had been the energy driving security success in Kogi.
In his remarks, the Commissioner of Police in Kogi, Bertrand Onuoha, commended the governor for his foresight in securing lives and property in the state.
“All of us knows the topography of Kogi State which poses security challenge. All we are seeing here is in line with the Inspector General of Police vision on community policing.
“If all this security agencies are established without synergy, much will not be achieved.
“Am using this medium to call for the integration of all security agencies in the state.
“I have directed Area Commanders to always make use of vigilantes and hunters. When we harmonise, our services will be more interesting,” he said.
Earlier, the State’s Security Adviser, Retired Cdr Jerry Omdara, noted that the hunters had been subjected to some level of intensive training and orientation to guide them in the task ahead. (NAN
The Sokoto State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Monday gave a scorecard of governor Ahmed Aliyu’s performance thus far.
Addressing newsmen at the party’s Secretariat, the state chairman of APC, Alhaji Isa Sadiq Achida said they have no regrets marketing the governor as his achievements have vindicated Senator Wamakko and the APC in Sokoto
“”Many people voted for Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto with the benefit of the doubt. Many others voted him based on the credentials of his political mentor and the father of Sokoto politics, Distinguished Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, Sarkin Yamman Sokoto, Sarkin Yakin Sokoto””, the APC chairman noted.
The chairman however added that, he feels proud that Sokoto’s governor has turned out to be an excellent choice who has proven all critics wrong.
While reeling out the governor’s achievements in the areas of road constructions, health, economy, water supply, education, security, housing, human capital development and empowerment as well as electricity, the state APC chairman said, the governor Ahmed Aliyu’s led administration has performed better in less than two year compared to the entire 8 years of his predecessor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
Giving a roll down of the numerous completed and ongoing road as well as township beautification projects executed by governor Ahmed Aliyu, the state APC chairman added that, while his predecessor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal sold off all government houses and can not account for the money, governor Ahmed Aliyu in less than two years is
building a total of 1136 houses.
“This is made up of 500 at Gidan Salanke, 500 at Wajake, Wamakko Local Government and the 136 housing units purchased from the Federal Housing Authority”‘”.
Talking on security, Isa Sadiq Achida admitted that despite challenges affecting some local government areas, particularly in the Eastern Senatorial District, the governor Ahmad Aliyu’s administration is taken decisive steps to combat banditry and enhance public safety.
Continuing, Sadiq Achida mentioned some of the efforts in that regards to include, “‘Strengthening Security Operations with the procurement and distribution of over 140 patrol vehicles to security agencies to boost their mobility and response capabilities, establishment and equipping of the Community Guards Corps with essential operational tools and logistics to strengthen local security networks.
“”Also on the security challanges, the governor is taken proactive measures to help mitigate the effect of spillover external threats from neighboring states and the Republic of Niger” The APC chairman said.
The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has replied to the Nigerian Bar Association regarding the reason for relocating its Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu State.
Ibas faulted the reason cited by the NBA, describing it as misleading and uncharitable.
The statement partly reads, “While we respect the NBA’s right to choose its conference venues, we find it curious that the association—despite its “principled position”— didn’t address the refund of the N300 million already paid by the Rivers State Government for the hosting rights of the 2025 conference.
“If the NBA truly stands on principle, it should demonstrate the same integrity by promptly returning these funds rather than benefiting from a state it now publicly discredits.”
An interest group, Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development (PAPSD), has urged President Bola Tinubu and lovers of democracy to ignore calls for declaration of a state of emergency in Zamfara.
The PAPSD Executive Director, Dr Sani Shinkafi, made the call in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Shinkafi was also the Patron of Bola Tinubu/Kashim Shettima Presidential Campaign Council in 2023.
He described the call by some groups which he referred as faceless as an agenda to distract Gov. Dauda Lawal from his Rescue Mission and destabilise the state.
The executive director said that the ‘reactionary forces’, blinded by parochial interests, had demonstrated ignorance of Nigerian constitution on the provisions for declaration of state of emergency in a state.
According to him, Zamfara does not fall in any of the constitutional provisions for removing the governor or declaring a state of emergency.
He urged politicians in the state to play by the rules, uphold democratic values, ideals and ethics, and eschew politics of bitterness capable of impeding the gains of Nigeria’s hard earned democracy.
Shinkafi noted that the army and other security agencies, supported by the governor, had fought armed banditry and had significantly improved security, public safety and order in Zamfara.
He noted that the improved security had paved the way for vigorous economic activities, social services and infrastructural development, all combined to provide dividends of democracy to citizens.
“This also includes the payment of ₦70,000 national minimum wage to civil servants and a promise to address the grey areas in the implementation of the national minimum wage to senior civil servants,’’ he said.
The executive director said if the intention of the groups and their sponsors was to distract the governor, they had failed woefully.
He urged all lovers of good governance in Zamfara to set aside petty politics and join hands with Lawal to transform the state and make it great again.
“The interest of the state supersedes individuals’ political ambitions.
“It is not yet time for partisan politics for the 2027 general elections.
“Everybody should calm down and contribute to building a better Zamfara State. It is time for patriotism, not antagonism,” he said. (NAN)
