Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has vowed to sustain the fight against banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities until the remaining criminals are flushed out of the state.
Ododo made this known in Kabba during a political rally organised by the former Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Prince Matthew Kolawole, to endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the governor and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Represented by his Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodare, the governor said the administration was combining military and law-enforcement operations with non-kinetic measures to tackle insecurity.
He disclosed that some criminal groups had expressed willingness to surrender, but stressed that such surrender must be accompanied by the release of all persons in their custody.
“Our kinetic and non-kinetic approach is working. We are decimating the criminal elements in our land. Some of them have expressed their desire to surrender unconditionally.
“But we are also saying that they must free everyone in their custody. I can tell you that they are already doing that,” he said.
Ododo urged residents of Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency to continue supporting government policies, particularly those aimed at improving security and infrastructure.
He also appealed to the electorate to support the re-election bids of President Tinubu, himself and other APC candidates in 2027.
Earlier, the convener of the rally and former Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Prince Matthew Kolawole, said the gathering provided an opportunity for stakeholders to assess the performances of the Tinubu and Ododo administrations.
Kolawole said the Federal Government had introduced interventions in education, infrastructure, security, youth and women empowerment.
He cited the students’ loan scheme as an initiative capable of reducing the financial burden of tertiary education on families, while commending empowerment programmes targeted at youths and women.
The former Speaker also spoke on the reconstruction of the Kabba-Egbe-Ilorin road, describing it as a strategic project for Okunland due to its potential to ease transportation, facilitate the movement of agricultural products and boost commercial activities across Kogi, Kwara and neighbouring states.
He added that the Federal Government had approved the construction of the Lokoja-Abuja and Kabba-Ekiti roads, as well as an airport project for Kogi State.
Kolawole commended the appointment of indigenes of Okunland and other parts of Kogi to federal positions, saying such appointments would enable them to contribute to national development.
He also said the Ododo administration had prioritised security, workers’ welfare, infrastructure, education and human capital development.
Kolawole attributed improved security efforts in Okunland and other affected communities to collaboration among the state government, security agencies and community-based security structures.
He also commended the regular payment of salaries and pensions by the state government, saying prompt payment of workers’ entitlements had positively impacted families and the local economy.
Kolawole identified the development of Kogi State University, Kabba, as another significant project, noting that the institution would expand access to tertiary education and create economic opportunities for residents.
The former Speaker further commended the payment of WASSCE and NECO examination fees for students in public schools, describing the policy as a relief to parents.
He said various youth and women empowerment programmes had also been introduced to provide residents with skills, economic opportunities and support.
He listed the proposed internal market around Zone 8 in Lokoja and the airport project among developments capable of stimulating economic activities in the state.
He, however, stressed the need for sustained accountability and public scrutiny of government programmes and projects, noting that political leadership should ultimately be judged by its impact on the people.
The former speaker urged residents to participate actively and peacefully in governance, monitor public projects and engage constructively in the political process.
He called on the people of Kabba-Bunu and Ijumu to endorse Tinubu, Ododo and other APC candidates for second terms.
Kolawole added that the collective aspiration should be to build a safer, more prosperous and developed Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency, Kogi State and Nigeria.
