Insecurity remains one of the most pressing challenges confronting Nigeria today, with banditry, kidnapping, and violent attacks threatening lives, livelihoods, and the very fabric of communities. Kogi State, situated at the heart of the nation and sharing boundaries with ten states and the Federal Capital Territory, has in recent times found itself at the center of these unsettling developments. The state has recorded disturbing incidents, ranging from violent attacks in Odo-Ere, Isanlu, and Odo-Ape, to the recent abduction of lawyers along the Auchi–Okene road. These cases have not only heightened public fear but also underscored the urgent need for collective and sustained action against criminal elements.
The Kogi State Government has taken commendable measures to tackle this menace, working in close synergy with security agencies, local hunters, and vigilante groups to safeguard lives and restore peace. These steps reflect the seriousness of the state leadership in confronting criminality. However, as commendable as these measures are, security cannot be left to government and formal operatives alone. It requires the active cooperation, vigilance, and commitment of the very people who make up the communities most affected.
The Kogi State Council of the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU) emphasizes that security is, above all, a collective responsibility. No government, no matter how determined, can fully secure its citizens without their involvement. It is the people who know their communities best, who can detect unusual activities, strange faces, or suspicious movements, and who can provide timely information that prevents crimes before they happen. Silence, indifference, or worse still, complicity, only emboldens criminal elements. When individuals or groups aid bandits by offering them shelter, supplies, or intelligence, they endanger not just themselves but their neighbors and indeed the entire state.
Security is like a chain whose strength depends on the solidarity of each link. If some communities collaborate actively with security operatives while others shield criminals, the efforts of the former can easily be undermined. RATTAWU therefore calls on citizens to rise to this challenge by volunteering credible intelligence, refusing to aid banditry in any form, and standing firmly against criminality.
While citizens must take responsibility, government also has a crucial duty to strengthen trust and ensure fairness in the process of law enforcement. Arrests must lead to diligent investigations and impartial prosecutions. Justice must be delivered transparently and without fear or favor. Communities are far more willing to cooperate when they are convinced that the authorities will act decisively, protect whistleblowers, and punish offenders without bias. Justice is the bridge that sustains trust, and without it, insecurity will fester.
It is equally important to address the socio-economic roots of insecurity. Unemployment, poverty, and lack of meaningful opportunities continue to drive young people into the arms of criminal gangs. A long-term solution requires investment in education, empowerment, and job creation so that the energy of the youth is redirected away from crime toward productive ventures.
Kogi has in the past demonstrated the power of collaboration between communities and government. Local hunters and vigilante groups, working with security agencies, have successfully dismantled kidnapping syndicates and restored confidence in farming and trading activities in parts of the state. Such examples must be scaled up, and communication between authorities and grassroots communities must be made more frequent and open. Security is most effective when it is locally owned and people feel they are not just subjects of protection but active partners in shaping their own safety.
As a union in the communication and creative sector, RATTAWU also recognizes the role of the media in security awareness. Through radio, television, theater, and other platforms, the public can be enlightened about the dangers of aiding criminals, the importance of reporting suspicious activities, and the power of unity in defending communities. Civil society groups too must continue to advocate, monitor, and mobilize citizens for collective action.
The times are indeed daunting, but Kogi State has always shown resilience in the face of adversity. This moment calls for renewed vigilance, renewed trust, and renewed solidarity. Every parent, teacher, religious leader, traditional ruler, and community elder has a role to play in ensuring that peace is restored and sustained. The government must match words with decisive action, ensuring that every life is protected and every act of criminality is punished.
Insecurity thrives where silence prevails, but it collapses where people unite, speak up, and take action. The message is simple yet profound: security is not the responsibility of a few, but the duty of all.
This message is brought to you by the Kogi State Council of Radio, Television and Theatre Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU)
