Governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has appointed Senior Special Assistants on Security Matters for each of the 21 local government areas of the state.
Inaugurating the new appointees in Lokoja on Thursday, Governor Bello charged them to work assiduously with security operatives and directors of local government (DLGs) toward riding the state of criminals.
Thirteen former local government Administrators made the new list of Senior Special Assistants on Security Matters. They are: Joseph Omuya Salami, Adavi; Prince Aliyu M. Akaaba, Ajaokuta; Shaibu Siaka, Dekina; Williams Iko-Ojo, Ibaji; Abu Odoma, Idah; Taufiq Isa, Ijumu; Muhammed Danasabe, Lokoja; Moses Sunday David, Mopamuro; Goke Oparison, Ogori/Magongo; Hon. Ohiare Abdulraheem, Okehi; Abdulrazaq Muhammad Yusuf, Okene; Adejoh Nicodemus, Olamaboro and Ibrahim Yakubu Aboh, Omala.
Other appointees who did not serve as Administrators in their respective local governments are: Ibrahim Ahmadu, Ofu; Isah Abdulkarim, Koton Karfe; Onoja James Omachonu, Igalamela Odolu; Ariyo Adebayo, Kabba/Bunu; Muhammed Muktar Shuaibu, Bassa; Ibrahim Abagu, Ankpa; Sule Abdulwakil Olorunjuwon, Yagba East and Oshaloto Tade Joseph, Yagba West
Some of the former local government Administrators who did not make the SSA on Security Matters list were offered new portfolios. Former Administrator of Yagba East, Abdulrazaq Asiru Ijagbemi was appointed Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters for Yagba Federal constituency.
Other ex-Administrators who were compensated with new portfolios include: Olutimi Joseph, SSA to the Governor on Mineral Resources; Olorunleke Moses, SSA to the Governor on Political Matters (Kabba/Bunu Federal Constituency); John Aduga, SSA to the Governor on Political Matters (Ankpa Federal Constituency); Onogwu Patrick Danjuma, SSA to the Governor on Political Matters (Idah Federal Constituency); Zakari Samuel, SSA to the Governor on Political Matters (Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency) and Barr. Muhammed Tanko Musa, SSA to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs (Kogi West).
Governor Bello, who acknowledged that criminal elements had held sway in the state, warned the new security aides to relocate to their respective domains or face the full wrath of the law.
“If you are a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and you pose security threat to the state, I will deal with you. No room for criminals in Kogi state, you better conduct yourself well or else I will ask the law enforcement agents to pick you up and deal with you.
“My administration wants to bring crime to zero level. I will not open my eyes and allow some criminal elements torment the good people of the state. That is why I invited the Kogi state Commissioner of Police to witness this occasion. He is representing the Inspector General of Police,” he said.
The governor said the Senior Special Assistants must make sure they deal with all security issues in their various local government areas adding that they are expected to report to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Governor Bello equally warned those disturbing his phone line for appointments to quit, saying that any appointment he makes will always be on merit and past antecedents.
Other senior special assistants appointed today are: Barr. Shedrach Omeiza Emmanuel, SSA to the Governor on Legal Matters; Ismaila Umar, SSA to the Governor on ICT; Hon. Aminu Ibrahim, SSA to the Governor on World Bank Matters; Aminu Abdulrazak, SSA to the Governor on Administration and Planning; Hassan Sanni SSA to the Governor on SDGs; Mariam Ibrahim, SSA to the Governor on Tourism; Bin-Ebaiya Shehu Tijjani, SSA to the Governor on Water Resources and Prince Okoliko Opaluwa Gideon, SSA to the Governor on Federal Agencies.
