Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has ordered the immediate demolition of the SAMBEL Facility in Idoji, Okene Local Government Area, following intelligence reports that criminal elements had taken over the location and were using it as a hideout.

The governor gave the directive on Thursday during a visit to the area as part of his administration’s renewed crackdown on criminal activities across the state. He declared that there would be no safe haven for criminals anywhere in Kogi State.

The SAMBEL facility, which dates back to the 1980s, was once a popular relaxation and social hangout spot for residents before it fell into neglect over the years.

According to the governor, the abandoned state of the facility made it vulnerable to criminal occupation, necessitating decisive action to prevent it from being used to threaten public safety.

Governor Ododo directed security agencies to intensify clearance and surveillance operations across Okene and other parts of the state, with instructions to dismantle all structures aiding criminal activities.

He reiterated that his administration would not negotiate with bandits or criminal groups, stressing that the protection of lives and property remains a top priority of his government.

The governor also called on residents to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information, noting that security is a collective responsibility that requires active citizen participation.

He explained that the demolition exercise forms part of broader measures aimed at restoring peace, maintaining law and order, and ensuring the safety of all residents of Kogi State.

Recall that the Kogi State government that in December 2025 introduced sweeping emergency security measures empowering authorities to pursue criminals and their sponsors in line with existing laws against violent crimes.