Kogi Forests Won’t Shelter Bandits, Terrorists – Governor Ododo Declares

The Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has vowed that terrorists, bandits and other violent criminals will have no safe haven in the state.

Ododo said his administration would deploy all lawful resources to secure residents, visitors and communities across the state.

Naija News reports that the governor stated this on Sunday during a visit to the training camp of newly recruited Forest Guard trainees in Lokoja, the state capital.

“We are determined to rid Kogi of criminal elements and we will deploy all lawful resources necessary to guarantee the safety of residents and visitors,” Ododo said.

Ododo said the state government was determined to reclaim forests and other vulnerable areas from criminals using them as hideouts.

He said the vast and largely unguarded forest areas in some parts of Kogi had become a major security concern because they provided cover for criminal groups.

According to him, the forests had enabled attacks on innocent citizens and must no longer be allowed to serve as safe zones for terrorists, bandits and other violent elements.

“The vast and largely unguarded forest areas in some parts of the state have become major security challenge, providing hideouts for criminal groups and enabling attacks on innocent citizens,” he said.

The governor said the recruitment and training of forest guards formed a major part of the state’s security strategy.

He explained that the initiative was designed to strengthen surveillance, block criminals from using forests as hideouts and improve the ability of security agencies to respond to threats.

“The recruitment and training of Forest Guards form a key component of the state’s security strategy aimed at strengthening surveillance, denying criminals access to safe havens and improving the capacity of security agencies to respond effectively to threats,” he added.

Ododo urged the trainees to approach their assignment with discipline, patriotism and a strong commitment to service.

He said the responsibility given to them was sensitive because it involved the protection of lives, property and communities.

The governor said the Forest Guard Programme was approved by President Bola Tinubu and was being implemented through the Office of the National Security Adviser in collaboration with the Department of State Services and other security institutions.

He commended Tinubu for his commitment to strengthening national security and supporting states with new measures to tackle emerging security challenges.

Ododo also praised the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for his support and leadership in advancing security reforms across the country.

The governor further lauded the Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Ajayi, for supporting security operations in Kogi State.

He noted that the DSS was overseeing the profiling and training of the Forest Guard recruits to ensure professionalism, competence and accountability.

Ododo said his administration would continue to expand security manpower, but stressed that only persons of proven character, integrity and loyalty would be trusted with the responsibility of protecting lives and property.

He said the state government would not compromise on the quality of personnel being recruited into the security structure.

The governor expressed confidence in the trainees, describing them as a valuable addition to Kogi’s security architecture.

He urged them to take their training seriously and prepare themselves for the task ahead.

The visit to the training camp came a day after Ododo inspected the first batch of Armoured Personnel Carriers procured by the state government.

The vehicles were acquired to improve the operational capacity and combat readiness of security agencies in the state.

Ododo said security remained a top priority of his administration and promised sustained investment in personnel, equipment and intelligence-driven operations.

He said the goal was to make Kogi safer and more attractive for investment, development and lawful economic activities.

The governor assured residents that his administration would continue to intensify efforts until all parts of the state were secured.

He said citizens must be able to go about their lawful activities without fear of attacks, abductions or harassment by criminal elements.

Ododo said the government would continue to work with federal security agencies, local stakeholders and communities to strengthen security across the state.

President Tinubu had on May 15 approved the nationwide Presidential Forest Guards Initiative to secure the country’s 1,129 designated forests.

The initiative is aimed at flushing out terrorists, bandits and criminal gangs from forests across the country.

The programme is being implemented as a joint security effort between the federal and state governments.