Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has reaffirmed his administration’s resolve not to negotiate with criminals or pay ransom, while calling for stronger collaboration among North Central states to tackle insecurity in the region.
The governor, represented by the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (Rtd.), made the call at the 2026 North Central Zonal Security Summit held in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
Speaking during a session on “Strengthening Regional Collaboration and Collective Leadership for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development in North Central Nigeria,” Omodara said Kogi State has strengthened measures to prevent the movement of illegal materials across its borders as part of efforts to check criminal activities in the region.
He stressed that the Kogi state government will not negotiate with bandits or pay ransom to secure the release of victims.
Omodara said the state is also strengthening its security architecture to confront criminal elements, urging neighbouring states to work with Kogi through a joint task force to combat insecurity across the region.
“We will confront them decisively if they come in their numbers. We are strengthening our security operatives and we call on neighbouring states to work with us as a Joint Task Force to rid our region of criminal elements,” he said.
The Minister of Defence and convener of the summit, General Christopher Musa, said the Federal Government is committed to freeing the North Central and Nigeria from insecurity.
Musa urged traditional rulers to provide credible and timely information on developments in their communities to assist security agencies in their operations.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said resolutions reached by the North Central on insecurity should be presented to the Presidency for swift consideration for implementation.
Akume also affirmed that President Tinubu was working closely with state governors to address insecurity across the country.
In his opening remarks,Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia of commended President Tinubu’s administration for its commitment to enhancing the country’s security architecture and for adopting strategic measures aimed at tackling insecurity in the North Central zone.
Also speaking, Air Vice Marshal Monday Morgan (Rtd.), who presented a paper on “Strengthening Regional Collaboration and Collective Leadership for Peace, Security and Sustainable Development in North Central Nigeria,” emphasised the importance of intelligence sharing in combating insecurity.
Morgan said “no intelligence should be isolated and no community disconnected,” urging citizens to support the security model being adopted to address insecurity in the region.
The summit brought together Chief Security Officers, security operatives, labour unions, civil society organisations, traditional rulers and opinion leaders from across the North Central states to deliberate on security and sustainable development.
Participants restate commitment by governors of the North Central states to deepen collaboration towards achieving peace and sustainable development in the region.
