Only recently, the governor of Kogi state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, perhaps in his capacity as the chief security officer, raised alarm about the existence of some hardened criminals in the state.
Indeed, crime and criminal activities as being perpetrated by some criminals in Kogi state has continued to be a source of concerns to well-meaning residents and citizens of the state.
Reflectively, the crime rate in Kogi State gradually escalated to worrisome level shortly before the 2003 election and sadly enough, it remained unabated despite all efforts by successive government.
Thuggery, cultism, robbery, rape, vandalism, Kidnap and most recently, infiltration of the state by some suspected members of Boko Haram, have been the bane of security in the state.
Clearly, the Abuja-Lokoja-Okene expressway which is the most important route in the state stands tall as far as activities of criminals is concerned as lives and properties are wasted on regular basis with little or no challenge.
Residents raise concern, appeal for quick intervention
Disturbed residents of the state who are often at the receiving end of the nefarious activities of criminals, especially kidnappers and rapists, have consistently made the case for government to put all the necessary measures in place to combat the menace.
A cross section of respondents who spoke to our correspondent decried the threat to security especially the alleged infiltration of some Boko haram elements into the state, insisting that flushing them was necessary to achieve the much needed growth and development as being championed by the current administration both the federal and state level.
“There can’t be development in an atmosphere where residents are living in a state of fear due to crime and criminality. Relevant stakeholders and indeed the government, must expedite action to confront the activities of criminals all over the state”, a resident, Isa Danjuma, said.
Government, security operatives turns the heat on criminals.
On Wednesday, February 22, the security operatives in Kogi state recorded an important milestone in its determination to rid the state of crimes especially hardened criminals who delight in killing and kidnapping.
Indeed, it was the day that seventeen criminals including suspected members of the dreaded Boko haram sect, whose criminal deeds are better imagined than said, along with some armed robbers and kidnappers, were paraded by the military at the military settlement, Chaimagumari Army Barracks, referred to as army record, along Okene/Kabba road, Lokoja Kogi State.
In all, the criminals who were paraded by the military, were reportedly caught and brought to book by the dogged commitment of the security operatives through the support of the State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, who vowed to make Kogi State uncomfortable for criminals and their collaborators.
Two men suspected to be members of the dreaded Boko haram were among the 17 criminals paraded in Lokoja. Other suspects paraded are suspected kidnappers, and, armed robbers said to have been arrested from December and now due to tip off.
The suspects included all manners of trained personnel like dismissed soldiers, and serving police officers, some of who were arrested in the Central District of Kogi State, as a result of mop up operation at various locations in the area.
One of the suspected criminal arrested and a knowned kidnap kingpin, Abdulazeez who confessed to be member of a kidnap syndicate, revealed that his gang was responsible for all kidnap incidents around Okengwe, Adogo, Ageva and Adavi.
He declared that at the end of a successful operations, gang members are given about N50.000 which is always spent on drinks and women of easy virutes.
Fielding questions, one of the suspects Isah Kigbu confirmed that since he arrived the state, he had been engaging in armed robbery and kidnapping.
He also revealed how a local chief who is also a member of the sect act as the safe keeper of the arms and ammunition.
Our correspondent gathered that the success recorded in nabbing the criminals was possible through the support of the state government which has continued to provide all the needed logistic assistance to security operatives.
The arrest of the criminals and the sustained effort with which the security agents are patrolling the state, combing hide out of criminals and making the state unsafe for crimes and criminality, has continued to receive applause of the residents.
While being interrogated by the Governor, the Boko Haram suspect, Abdullahi Isa, said he came back to the state after they were dislodged from their base in the North East.
As should be expected, his revelations unsettled the governor who had said repeatedly that his administration was committed to making the state friendly for investors who can have field day in establishing their business venture.
A visibly worried Yahaya Bello has vowed to demolish any house found to the harboring criminals in any part of the state. This include landlords whose houses any criminal is caught.
The Governor said he was determined to rid the state of all criminals adding that for that reason, any house found to be harbouring criminals will be demolished.
While commending the bravery of the security operatives, Bello said “security is a matter of concerns to ever body.”
He assured that any building linked to kidnappers would be brought down to serve as deterrent to others.
“Insecurity is a threat to any meaningful development, investment thrives in a peaceful society”.
But more than anything, the recent arrest of the criminals was an outcome of the doggedness of the state government in providing all the necessary support for the security operatives so as to make the state a safe haven and indeed, a no go area for criminals.
While addressing the citizens who stormed the venue where the criminals were paraded, Governor Bello reiterated his administration’s readiness to ensure that criminals do not have any hiding place in the state assuring that his administration would tackle the issue of kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, vandalism and rape, and all other form of criminality.
Indeed, the state government, with the support of the relevant security agencies operating in the state, has been forthcoming in making the state difficult for criminals. This has led to a drastic reduction in criminal activities in the state.
Prior to the current efforts, there had been an escalation of criminal activities in Kogi State. Many attributed it to the fact that the state is a gateway to the capital of Nigeria where travelers from about 19 states pass through, almost on a daily basis, while travelling to Abuja.
Security experts who volunteered to speak with Leadership Sunday said most of this crimes are perpetrated and managed by the already frustrated people from other states who have been chased away by their home government, but have viable place in Lokoja, Kogi State. But a security expert, Adama Ellah, emphasised that the clumsiness of Lokoja now resulting into upsurge of crime could be traced to people who have no visible means of livelihood, who have been sent away by their home government but have a safe haven in Kogi State.
Credits: Sam Egwu | Leadership
