The Executive Chairman of Kogi State Security Trust Fund (KGSSTF) Hon. Samari Teina Abdulmalik has assured residents of the state of adequate security of lives and properties as it celebrates its 10th anniversary.

Abdulmalik gave the assurance in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday in Lokoja, to mark the Agency’s 10th Anniversary.

According to him, the agency was established by the KSSTF Act of 2012, which strives to acquire and deploy security equipments materials and financial resources for the effective functioning of all Federal, State, Local Government and other security agencies operating in the state.

He stressed that KSSTF was created to response to the operational deficiency of the various security agencies within the state, particularly with respect to equipping and provision of modern equipment.

Abdulmalik said that the agency’s success had been fuelled in the last decade by collaboration with security agencies to enforce its mandate of securing the environment.

He highlighted the key role of individuals, groups, communities, organisations and other units that constitute the state to public security.

He noted that through the impact of government and other relevant stakeholders, the crime rate in the state had progressively declined in the recent years.

The executive chairman emphasised that Kogi of today had become safer for residents to carry out their lawful daily activities without any fear.

He described the public security as fundamental for enhancing good governance, socio-economic growth and development in every society,

He called on every segment of the society to support the state government and all security agencies so as to enhance public safety in Kogi.

He urged individuals, corporate bodies, religious bodies among others to donate to the fund so as to achieve its set goal of ensuring quality service delivery and improved security in the state.

While assuring citizens of Kogi of maximum security of lives and properties in the coming years, he stressed that the trust fund had contributed its quota towards protecting residents and their investments.

He noted since assumed office, the security agency in the state had been passionate about serving the people in its area of mandate.

He highlighted the agency’s achievements under his watch to include the procurement of vehicles for security agencies as well as motorcycles to enhance the opertion of local hunters in the state.

He added his administration was also instrumental in the proposed ICT driven intelligence gathering of the state by Hytera and partners.

”In addition, the trust fund under my leadership has been able to refurbish operational vehicles for security agencies as well as commenced plans for the establishment of a central logistics base as mandated by the Enabling Law,” he said.

He said that the present fight against crime cannot be obtained without the active involvement, participation and support of every section of the society.

He, therefore enjoined individuals, groups, communities, organisations and other units that constitute the state to report unusual activities to the relevant authorities.

End

Kogi State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has paraded six suspected criminals for various offences.

Parading the Suspects in Lokoja, the State Commandant, Suleiman Ibrahim Mafara said they were arrested following intelligence report and surveillance by the officers of the Command at various locations.

The Commandant said the first suspect, Shaibu Dauda, aged 28 years from Edeha in Kotonkarfe local Government Area of the State was arrested for phone theft and house breaking while Murtala Lawale, 40years, from Zamfara State, Seidu Ibrahim 35 years from Zamfara State and Turukul Lawal, 27 years from Katsina State were arrested for Transformer Vandalism.

According to the NSCDC Boss, one Yakubu Abdulmumin, aged 20 years and Muhammed Jalaludeen, aged 20 years were also arrested in Anyigba for operating an unlicensed filling station and breaking the seal placed on the Stations by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

He appealed to the public to continue to partner with the NSCDC through intelligence gathering and sharing to rid the State of crime and criminal elements.

He added that all the suspects will be charged to court.

In another development, Commandant Suleiman Ibrahim Mafara has presented and decorated an officer of the Command, Francis Ruth Oluwakemi who won one Gold, two Silver and One Bronze in the just concluded One Service, One Medal Games, OSOM Games in Abuja organized for paramilitary agencies.

He congratulated the officer for good representation and restated the support of the Command in her future endeavors.

Speaking, Francis Ruth Oluwakemi expressed appreciation to the Command for the support as well as creating a platform for her to represent the Corps promising her continued loyalty to the NSCDC.

End

No fewer than 100 Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC), personnel’s on Friday passed out of the course six arms handling training exercise in Kogi State.

Speaking at the passing out parade, the Commandant General of NSCDC Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi said his mission is to transform the agency for good adding that, continuous training and re-training of officers remains the hallmark of efficiency, and professionalism.

The NSCDC DG who was represented by the Director Legal Service Umar Mohammed charged his men to be civil and professional in the discharged of their duties.

In his address, the Kogi State Commandant of NSCDC Suleiman Mafara while congratulating the graduating officers said the successes in various operations recorded in the state will not have been possible without the support of the Commandant General.

“The Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, Phd, mni, approved our request to train this set of gallant officers and gave his full support in every way possible.
This is also in addition to the recruitment of more personnel to beef up the strength of the Corps so as to enhance its capacity to confront diverse security challenges facing the nation, counter terrorism, protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure”.

He restate the loyalty and commitment of Officers and Men of the Command to the CG’s resolve to rid the entire country of insecurity and all forms of criminality.

” The subordination of the Corps to civil authority is a cherished tradition that is one of the cornerstones of democratic existence and has, in addition, helped promote our professionalism in all parts of the Country. It is a tradition that must be sustained and strengthened.

“The Command therefore appeals to the government and good people of Kogi State to assist the Corps in whatever way possible to enhance optimal service delivery” he said.

Representative of Governor Bello Alhaji Yakubu Suleiman, permanent secretary, Local Government service commission said the present administration remains committed to fighting insecurity in the state.

On their part, the Commander, NNS Lugard Lokoja, Commodore KJ Odubanjo, Commander Army record Major General O.W Ali who was represented by S.O Nwafor, both lauded the existing synergy between all security agency in the state.

They admonished the graduating officers to be courageous in defending their father land from the enemies of the nation.

Our correspondent reports that
the course six arms handling training exercise for Kogi NSCDC lasted for one month.

End

Nigeria Premier independent football academy, Fosla Academy was on Tuesday, June 1st, 2021 attacked in Karu, a satellite town in the federal capital territory, FCT, Abuja.

The attack occurred at the Government Day Secondary School, Karu venue of the zonal playoff of the 2nd edition of Maltina School Athletic Games with three students of the academy injured.

The attack was carried out by two unidentified students who are from the host school, GDSS and as well as Junior Secondary School, JSS Karu.

The two students who were obviously angry over Fosla Academy’s feats after they won four events at the zonal qualifiers, attacked the academy bus, injured three students and damaged the bus’ glasses.

The presence of the proprietor of the Academy and former President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF; Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdulahi was not regarded by the unscrupulous hoodlums who evaded arrest and disappeared from the premises when the police arrived.

The police promised to track down the pepetrators of the attack and bring them to book.

The three players who where injured sustained various degrees of injuries including Aisha Mohammed who was hit on the head by a stone thrown by the two misguided students.

Sumeya Usman sustained injuries on the left knee from broken glasses while Faruk Umar was injured on the back after a heavy stone throne by the miscreants hit him and he fell on the ground.

This is the first time Folsa Academy, headquartered in Karish, few kilometers away from Karu, is being attacked since inception in 2011.

It is hoped that the Nigeria Police will be professional to fish out the pepertrators of this heinous act and bring them to justice.

Fosla Academy is established to help indigent but talented Nigerians to discover and nurture their football talents at the same time focusing on their education.

Seventy-five per cent of the over 150 students in the academy are on scholarships, courtesy of Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdulahi.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed concern over the spate of security breaches in the country, saying it was working to identify and bring to book perpetrators and sponsors of banditry, kidnappings, rustlers, terrorists and attackers on security formations in some states of the country.

Its  National Secretary, Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Senator John Akpanudoedehe, in a statement, yesterday, called on Nigerians to unite against insecurity and criminality for the development of the country. He assured that the President Buhari government will continue and strategically deploy all state resources in achieving public safety.

Said Akpanudoedehe: “The issue of insecurity in the country has found expression in terrorist and criminal activities of Boko Haram, bandits, kidnappers, rustlers and recently the highly condemnable attacks on security formations in some states. These are current realities and the APC will not play politics with matters of life and our collective wellbeing as a nation.

“As a progressive party in government, we are fully-focussed on identifying and bringing to book perpetrators and sponsors of this hydra-headed insecurity monster and consolidating on our visible development strides. While the party sympathises with all affected by the security incidents, we call on all to unite against insecurity and criminality, however expressed.

“Again, we must not fall for the plot of sectarian opportunists and unpatriotic partisans who have swarmed the public space with divisive rhetoric in furtherance of their selfish plot to exploit the security situation for hideous gains. It is dangerous to national security and we should not let them succeed. The President Muhammadu Buhari administration is criminalising crime, not ethnicity. The president’s charge to the newly-appointed service chiefs was clear: ‘We are in a state of emergency. Be patriotic, serve the country well, as your loyalty is to the country.’  We must shun the antics and activities of unpatriotic and sectarian opportunists fanning divisive embers, promote peaceful coexistence, eschew bitterness and unite against insecurity and crime, for the development of the country.

The party also condemned the attack on the country home of Imo Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma,  described it as an attack on democracy.

It equally condemned the attacks on police personnel and formations in Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Anambra and Rivers states.

It commiserated with the police and families of victims of the attack. It also sympathised with Governor Uzodimma and all affected in the attack.

“We have since learnt that there were fatalities with others injured and maimed during the attack.  The party and indeed our security services will definitely not watch helplessly as some persons and interests attempt to turn Imo into a killing field.”

The Sun (https://newsexpressngr.com/news/122383)

It was gathered that the suspects met their waterloo Wednesday while making effort to snatch a motorcycle from an Okada Rider with their usual trick.

They were arrested at Ebogogo Community in Adavi Local Government area of the state.

The suspects were identified as;
ThankGod from Kaduna State, Bello from Edo State, Abdullahi Musa from Gombe State, Zahamarudeen AKA (Yellow) from Zamfara State, and Mr. Solomon from Edo State.

They confessed to have been responsible for motorcycle snatching in Kogi Central axis.

They also added that, their operation hideout is along Auchi road, where they normally lured Okada Rider to and forcefully snatch their motorcycle.

The suspects also admitted that the motorcycles found in their possession were stolen from Okada Riders and many have been sold out at the rate of #30,000 each.

The Gang leader, Mr. ThankGod while fielding questions from journalist when they were being paraded by Adavi Local Government chairman Hon. Joseph Omuya alongside security agencies present said ” We have been in this motorcycle snatching business for a long time.

” Since the economy is not friendly, we have to survive. We normally use tricks on Okada riders to snatch their bike. Each bike we steal is usually sold between N25,000 to N30,000 depending on how urgent we needed money. When ever we sell the bike stolen from our victim, we share the money among our selves”.

Addressing journalist on government effort to comb the hide out of robbers and kidnappers in the Local Government, the Executive Chairman of Adavi LGA Hon. Joseph Omuya warned that the Local Government will not be a safe haven for criminal elements in the state.

” All criminal elements should vacate our State. We are coming out hard to get them no matter where they are. Kogi is not a state for criminals” he added.

He urged the residents of the Local Government to continue to support and cooperates with Security Agencies in providing accurate and timely information about the movement of suspicious persons in their domain.

Items recovered from the suspects include; three motorcycles, locally made guns, speaker and generator set.

End

A socio cultural group of middle belt origin, named Assembly of North Central People (ANCP) has called for improved security of lives and properties of Nigerians.

The group described as barbaric, the incessant kidnappings by bandits and killings of innocent Nigerians by bokoharam insurgents.

In a communique issued at the emergency meeting of the group held in Abuja, the group said it will no longer condone the coordinated attacks on the people of North Central.

The group stated that the recent kidnapping of some students at a college in Kagara Niger State was a testament to the porosity in security architecture of the country.

“ANCP will no longer tolerate the wanton and indiscriminate maltreatment of Nigerians. We condemn in totality the recent kidnap of some students at a school in Kagara Niger State.”

“The immediate interest of this group is to bring together the people of North Central Zone to harness the great opportunity embedded in the area; therefore, the group is committed to catering for the welfare and socio economic need of its people and the entire Nigerians”

“ANCP is a baby of necessity, formed by like minds to cater for the socio-economic, cultural and political development of North Central Nigeria and the good people of the zone.” Part of the communique read.

The group further reiterated that in no distant future, ANCP will embark on a sensitization drive among the people of the zone and the entire country on the need to consider the North Central in the scheme of things as it concern political arrangement of the entity called Nigeria.

Members of the LOC were welcomed by the commandant. The secretary introduced the LOC.

The LOC chairman, Promise Uwaeme explained to the commandant that the competition which is sponsored by Yakubu Adamu Yola is aimed at promoting peace and unity, discovering and promoting of young talents in football as well as to pay loyalty to the security outfit for their unflinching support towards making the competition to where it is now and as well solicit for more support towards the present and subsequent editions of the competition.

In his response, the Area Commandant, AC Naboki, applauded the efforts of the sponsor to have such a positive thought uniting the youths with the Southern Gombe which comprises of Balanga, Billiri, Kaltungo and Shongom LGA).

The commandant added by sighting examples of the ethnic clashes that occurred years back and added that had it been people had used this same model adopted by Yakubu Adamu Yola, there wouldn’t be place for inter ethnic nor inter communal clashes.

Commandant further insisted that Yakubu Adamu Yola should constitute a prominent personnel to pay a courtesy visit to all the traditional rulers of all the aforementioned local government areas and if possible extend an invitation for them to grace the final as it will go a long way to stamp the vision and mission of the competition.

The same team went to visit the commandant Nigerian civil, security defense corp and divisional police officer.

Maxwell Akongo and CSP Audu Ibrahim expressed 100% support to the football competition.

The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Kayode Egbetokun says there is no cases of Police brutally, intimidation and harassment in the State.

Egbetokun stated this shortly after commissioning the first-ever office building built by the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Adewole Division, SP Mustapha Olayemi in Ilorin.

The Police Boss said the Command had not recorded any form of brutality and commended the people for their support and cooperation.

He urged the people not to believe anything they read on social media, but try to verify and establish the truth.

Egbetokun enjoined Nigerians to embrace the spirit of Community Policing to wipe out crime in the Society.

The Police Commissioner reiterated that since his assumption of office in the State, he had just commissioned a building project and called on other Police Officers to embrace the spirit put in place by SP Olayemi.

He said the Police has a procedure of dealing with erring Police Officers found waiting in the discharge of their duties.

Egbetokun stated that the Command had zero tolerance for indiscipline calling on the people to always report cases of misbehavior to the appropriate authority for necessary sanctions.

The Police Boss commended the DPO SP Olayemi, the officers and men of Adewole Division for their commitment and support.

Also speaking at the occasion, a Legal Luminary and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Yusuf Ola-Olu Ali commended the foresight of SP Olayemi for the project and enjoined other DPO to emulate the spirit.

Earlier, the DPO Adewole, SP Mustapha Olayemi said he embarked on the project to ease office accommodation being experienced by his men and to enhance their dignity for effective and efficient service delivery.

Olayemi stated that since his assumption of office in the Division, crime had reduced to the bearest minimum as a result of the commitment of his officers and support of the people.

END

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)