Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has assured the people of Okun Land in Kogi state of his administration’s commitment to rid the area of marauding bandits and other criminals.
He gave the assurance when the national leadership of Okun Development Association (ODA) led other stakeholders on a courtesy visit to the Governor in Lokoja on Friday.
He also pledged to support the Okun Security Trust Fund, an initiative of ODA to enhance community policing in the area.
He tasked appointees of government to work together with Okun Development Association, feel the pulse of their people and contribute to the development of the area.
While commending the leadership of ODA for their relentless sacrifice for the people, Governor Ododo said he will make a distinct mark in Okun land in the course of his administration.
He vowed to sustain ongoing onslaught against bandits across Kogi state.
In his address, President General of ODA, Ambassador Rotimi Akenson, said insecurity has assumed a frightening dimension in Okun Land.
Amb. Akenson, however, applauded the Governor Ododo-led administration for the recent breakthroughs and initiatives recorded in Okun Land, especially the recruitment of additional vigilantes to complement conventional security apparatus.
The ODA President General said the Okun Security Trust Fund seeks partnership with Kogi state government to empower and enable community development associations in the area to put structures in place that will help them explore result-oriented collaborations between conventional and non-conventional security systems.
“We are witnesses to the many incidents of rampant kidnapping and banditry, with daily killings and maiming of innocent citizens across the land through the activities of bandits and other criminal elements.
“The attendant loss of lives of locals and invasion of farmlands by herders are having very devastating consequences on the economy of Okun Land and our people,” Amb. Akenson lamented.
The ODA called on Kogi state government to formulate an executive framework to regulate activities in the state in a manner that will ensure sustainability of the environment as regards the ecosystem of the state.
“The state government should ensure that all extractive activities on Okun land impact on host communities positively and maximally benefit the communities,” he stated.
The ODA President General appealed to Governor Ododo to explore ways to fix the deplorable roads across Okun land.
“In recent years, access to Okun Land has become very difficult due to the poor state of our roads. The roads linking Okunland to Ekiti, Ondo, and Kwara States trough federal roads have been in a very bad state for many years, with a bandwagon negative effect on trading activities, the economy and security.
“We appeal to your Excellency to take further steps in addressing this menace through appropriate government intervention or private partnership. There is also the need to embark on the massive construction of rural roads in Okun to boost agriculture and commercial activities across the state,” he appealed.
The State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd), called on the people of Okun land to separate security issues from politics.
He urged the people to show more than passing interest in the abundant natural resources Okun land is endowed with.
Chairman, Okun Area Traditional Council, Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi, commended Governor Ododo for his sustained fight against banditry in the area.
Oba Owoniyi, who led other first class monarchs including the Olujumu of Ijumu, Oba William Olusegun Ayeni; Olu of Oworo, Mallam Muhammed Adoga Baiyerohi ; and the Elulu of Mopa, Oba Muyiwa Ibeun, said it is unfortunate that some indigenes are colluding with criminals to perpetuate crimes in the land.
The Monarch, however, called on the state government to remain steadfast in its commitment to rid Okun land of banits and other criminals.
