The Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Abdullahi Chafe, has cautioned traditional rulers under his command against harbouring criminals.
He threatened to forward a security report to the police headquarters in Abuja on any traditional ruler who violates this order.
Chafe, who spoke yesterday in Lokoja, the state capital at the end of a stakeholders’ meetings on security asked the royal fathers to ensure peace reigns in their communities.
In his words: “To our royal fathers the ball is in your court, don’t allow us to get to the stage when we will start putting up security reports against you.
“If you allow crime to thrive in your area of jurisdiction we can write security reports against you. By the time we forward it to Abuja you would not know. The next thing is that they would summon you to explain and from there may be you would go on exile.”
Chafe advised them to work hard to make the state free of crimes to attract more investors.
He said more area commands would be created in the state to increase the existing four.
Also speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Jerry Omodara, said the government has concluded plans to launch a new security outfit named “Operation Total Freedom.”
He explained that the occasion is part of events to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the creation of the state.
Omodara said about 200 vehicles would be distributed to security agencies and paramilitary organisations in the state to boost their operations.
According to him, this is part of government’s plan to tackle kidnapping, armed robbery and other crimes in Kogi.
The special adviser added that the government in conjunction with security agencies has identified some locations in the state noted for high crime incidents and is making arrangements to improve security around those spots.
He listed such spots as Kabba junction, Ganaja village, Kabawa, Koton Karfe and others in Lokoja and Kogi local councils.
The state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who spoke through the special adviser on local government and chieftaincy affairs, urged the people, particularly the youths to embrace peace and shun criminal activities.
