The administration of Governor Yahaya Bello has made Kogi very safe for citizens, travelers, investors

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has despite the chaotic security apparatus he inherited in the State, his administration has made the Confluence State safe for citizens, residents, travelers, investors and tourists in the State.

In the past the State featured as the epicenter of insecurity, due to sheer laxity, corruption and non-commitment of resources over the years to security infrastructure and man-power in Kogi State, the security agencies found themselves trailing the highly mobile and logistically superior criminal francize which affected the State.

Under previous administration evil and criminal vices which included killing, Bank robberies, jail break by Boko Haram insurgents, attack of offices of security agencies, kidnapping and other forms of criminality were perpetuated in the state because of the lack of political will and opacity in the use of security votes.
Before the emergence of GYB the is seen as the den of kidnapper’s and armed robbers

Kogi under the watch of GYB was in April 2018, ranked as the 2nd most peaceful state in the country after Osun and the most peaceful in the North of Nigeria by the Nigerian Peace Index. The State was also ranked as the State with the second lowest crime statistics in the country after Kebbi by the National Bureau of Statistics.

Infact several law enforcement agencies have made Kogi State their case study on how to achieve rapid progress in check-mating concerns on insecurity,some establishments and government institution like the Nigerian Army and the police force have publicly commended the State’s efforts in tackling the menace of insecurity.

GYB has tackled numerous security challenge to include, the Formation of Operation Total Freedom, Establishment of Kogi Vigilante Service, Repair of roads and clearing of bushes along major roads, the construction of Forward Operation Base for the
Nigerian Army, Arrests and recovery of Arms and Ammunitions.

other strategy adopted included the use of Artificial intelligence and advanced technology and vast youth engagement in the State all of which the State invested heavily to ensure it achieved the desired result of a peaceful and safe Kogi State.

Governor Bello recognize the peculiar nature of each areas, classify them accordingly and deploy security agencies and funding accordingly.

GYB synergize in the area of intelligence gathering and deployment of technology in fighting crime so as to curb inter-state crimes

Governor Bello also canvassed for the constant review of existing laws that were obsolete especially in areas of arrest, detention and prosecution

GYB has performed excellently well in achieving its policy statement which clearly stated in the New Direction Blueprint of his Administration that high rate of insecurity which was inherited has been curb and curtailed drastically

peaceful co-existence among different communities is very paramount a lot was required of the citizenry of the nation to continue to provide useful and timely information to security agencies in order to tackle insecurity.
The issue of herdsmen and farmer’s has been resolved and till now there is nothing like herdsmen and farmer’s clashes, this was achieved due to the proactive and pragmatic leadership of GYB.

It is very sacrosanct, germane and imperative to highlight some few achievements of GYB in the area of security which are extrapolated as follows:

1)Established Kogi Vigilante Service to assist the security agencies for inclusive security with the citizens participation (3,000 so far recruited and trained).

2)Built Forward Operation Base for the Nigeria Army, Okene in 2017.

3) Establishment of Operation Total Freedom in September 2016. The strength is now about 545 troops involving Nigeria Army, Nigeria Navy, Nigeria Police, DSS and NSCDC who have the whole State on 24 hours surveillance.

4) Purchase and deployment of modern technology to fight crime. This Administration provided over 160 patrol vans to law enforcement agencies in 2016.

5) Introduction of Whistle Blowing Policy with reward of N500,000 for those that provide information.

6) Provided Trucks and 260 Motorcycles to Kogi Vigilante Service. One motorbike is given to each ward in the State. This is to aid community policing.

Security of lives and properties is a core thematic area of the New Direction Administration. Governor Yahaya Bello believes that an efficiently secured State is crucial for sustainable development. Prior to the advent of this administration; there were numerous security challenges which made the citizens to live in perpetual fear, these include Kidnapping, Bank Robbery, Terrorism, Arms proliferation, Political Assassination, Fulani/Host Community clashes and violent cult activities went on unabated.

On assumption of office, His Excellency swung into action by strengthening and improving the weak security architecture in the State. In three years, there has been significant impact in restoring security to the State.

Due to the proactive steps taken by the Governor to checkmate insecurity in the State, The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris awarded him Best Security Conscious Governor in the Country in 2017.

Sometime this year the army records command,Charri Maigumeri Barracks Lokoja, Major General Bamidele Olaleke Ogunkale commended GYB efforts in maintaining peace and Security in the state and awarded him.

Kogites can now sleep with their two eye’s close even the travellers can testify to it because there is no fear that if I travelled I will be kidnap and they will be requesting for ransom and there is serenity and tranquility all over Kogi state.

GYB did it.

GYB has received not less than 10 local and international awards base on security consciousness.

BY ADELEYE FEMI (PROF)

  GYB, Kogi, Kogi News, Kogi State, Security