Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has vowed to clamp down on illegal mining activities and intensify the fight against banditry across the state, warning that his administration will not spare anyone aiding or abetting criminal activities.
The governor made the declaration on Monday during a visit to Isanlu-Esa in Yagba West Local Government Area, one of the communities recently hit by a surge of kidnappings and killings. He was accompanied by top security chiefs, including the State Commissioner of Police, CP Milan Dantalaye, and heads of other security agencies.
Ododo assured residents that the state government is fully committed to restoring peace and protecting lives and property. He warned that the era of unchecked criminal activities was over.
“If you are aiding or abetting a crime, you will be treated as a criminal. Illegal miners must be brought to book,” the governor declared.
He praised the efforts of security operatives — including personnel of the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Hybrid Force from the Office of the National Security Adviser — for their role in combating insecurity in Yagba West.
The governor also cautioned traditional rulers against indiscriminate allocation of land to unknown individuals. He emphasized that anyone granted a mining license must now be thoroughly profiled by both the state government and security agencies to prevent future security breaches.
Ododo reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to ensuring peace and security across Kogi State and the country. He commended the National Security Adviser and Security Chiefs for their strategic coordination in implementing the president’s security policies.
The governor offered condolences to families affected by the recent wave of attacks and promised immediate government support to those who lost loved ones. He also paid tribute to the gallant security personnel who died in the line of duty, pledging that their sacrifices “will not be in vain.”
During the visit, Brigadier General K. U. Sidi, Commander of the Nigerian Army’s 12 Brigade, lauded the synergy among security agencies and thanked the governor for his support.
The paramount traditional ruler of Isanlu-Esa, Chief Theophilus Olufemi, expressed gratitude for the governor’s visit and appealed for the sustained presence of security forces in the area until all criminal elements are neutralized. He also called on the Federal Government to repair the community’s road network to improve access and strengthen security operations.
Governor Ododo’s visit signals a renewed offensive against criminal networks in Kogi State as authorities intensify efforts to dismantle illegal mining operations often linked to funding bandit activities in the region.
