Kogi State governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo on Tuesday in Lokoja the state capital, said security reforms recently introduced by President Bola Tinubu is yielding results across the country, including the recovery of a large stockpile of arms and ammunition in his state.
The governor thanked the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, as well as the heads of other security agencies for helping to drive the security reforms.
Briefing journalists in Lokoja, Ododo said the recovery of the huge arms stockpile which was displayed , followed more than a week of intelligence-driven surveillance by security agencies with the support of the state government.
The governor said the operation was part of a broader security strategy aimed at denying criminals in the state access to weapons and logistics. The reforms, he added, would make it difficult for criminals across the country operate.
He disclosed that the resolve of his government to fight insecurity came on the heels of a recent meeting he had with President Tinubu who challenged him to key into the new strategy which will help him better secure the lives and property of the people of his state.
“When I met Mr President, I expected commendation. But he told me that he’s more focused on intelligence-driven operations. That re-energized and redirected me. We immediately regrouped, met with the security agencies, harmonised our strategies and acted decisively on credible intelligence. We put the strategy tested it, and the results have been wonderful,” Ododo disclosed.
According to the governor, the support he got from the NSA and DSS DG, greatly helped the joint security team he set up achieve results.
He linked the spike in violent crimes in Kogi to the uniqueness of the state’s geo-political location, saying the borders Kogi State share with 10 neighbouring states, as well as her being a major gateway to the Northern and Southern parts of the country, made the state a prime target for criminals. He, however, added that his government was ready to take on the security challenges.
“Kogi State is fully alert. The DSS, the police, the military, the Navy and all other security agencies are working relentlessly, day and night,” said the governor, adding, “We will never bow to criminals, and we will never negotiate with them.”
Weapons recovered during the operation include 24 AK-47 rifles, 23 pump-action rifles, one Tavor rifle, one FN rifle, four Beretta pistols, four Browning rifles, 42 magazines, 520 rounds of 7.62mm GPMG ammunition, and large quantities of AK-47 ammunition and cartridges for pump-action rifles and Beretta pistols.
Also recovered were several handcuffs, 13 holsters, tear gas cartridges and submachine gun components.
The governor said the operation was the result of close coordination amongst the Department of State Services, the police, the armed forces and other security agencies, acting on what he described as credible and actionable intelligence.