Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has directed security agencies operating in the state to stop making arrests at night, warning operatives against invading homes and harassing residents under the cover of darkness.
The governor gave the directive on Monday while addressing first-class traditional rulers at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Lokoja, where he also charged the monarchs to deploy their influence towards ensuring peaceful, violence-free elections in the state.
Ododo said security operations must be conducted within the ambit of the law, with respect for the dignity and fundamental rights of citizens.
“No arrest should be made in the night. If you have any case against anybody, wait till daytime, follow due process, invite the person lawfully,” he said.
“We will not allow our people to be harassed, intimidated or picked up like criminals in the middle of the night.”
The governor urged the traditional rulers to report any security operative found violating the directive, assuring them that his administration would not tolerate abuse of power under any guise.
He said the directive was aimed at ensuring that the fight against crime did not become a source of fear and intimidation for law-abiding citizens.
Ododo also commended the traditional rulers for their contributions to peace and security in the state, noting that many of them had supported security efforts through prayers, counsel and personal resources.
“Some of you go out with us to confront these criminals. Some pray with the Quran and the Bible, others with tradition. Only God will reward you,” he said.
The governor, however, warned that the state’s security challenge was increasingly being fueled by internal collaborators who provide criminals with food, logistics and information.
“Our problem now is not foreigners. It is our own brothers and sisters supplying food, logistics and information to criminals in the bush,” he stated.
He specifically warned wood-cutters and other persons operating in forest areas against aiding criminals, directing traditional rulers to summon relevant associations in their domains and caution their members.
“If you are caught aiding criminals, we will not spare you, even if you are my brother,” Ododo warned.
According to him, the state’s strategy of blocking supply routes and shutting down markets compromised by criminal activities was already putting pressure on criminals operating in the state.
The governor also used the occasion to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support for Kogi State, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, security and funding.
“We will be doing ourselves a disservice if we don’t appreciate Mr President,” he told the monarchs.
“President Tinubu has stood firmly behind us in infrastructure, in security funding, and in ensuring prompt release of allocations for payment of salaries.”
He cited the ongoing reconstruction of the Abuja-Lokoja-Okene-Benin highway as one of the major interventions of the Tinubu administration, describing the road as a critical economic corridor linking the North Central with the South-South.
Ododo also praised the president for strengthening the country’s security architecture and supporting local security initiatives in Kogi, which he said had contributed to the restoration of peace in several communities.
He called on the traditional rulers to support the Chief of Army Staff and other security commanders in the discharge of their responsibilities.
“If somebody providing security for the whole nation, his own house is not safe and peaceful, then it means we are not supporting him and we are not appreciating him,” he said.
As political activities gather momentum ahead of the forthcoming elections, the governor appealed to the traditional rulers to use their positions to promote peace, tolerance and responsible political participation across their domains.
He urged them to caution their subjects against thuggery, intimidation, destruction of property and other acts capable of disrupting the peace of the state.
Ododo said political campaigns should be based on issues and development rather than religion, ethnicity or other divisive considerations.
“We cannot be killing ourselves to get to a position. Campaign should be issue-based, not about religion or ethnicity. We are all Kogites,” he said.
He further urged the monarchs to work with community leaders, youths and political stakeholders to ensure that the elections are conducted in an atmosphere of peace and mutual respect.
The governor charged the royal fathers to remain peace advocates in their respective domains and prevent individuals or groups from using their communities as platforms for political violence before, during and after the elections.
He stressed that political differences must not be allowed to threaten the peace and security of Kogi State, urging all stakeholders to respect the rights of citizens to freely make their political choices.
The governor’s message to the traditional rulers was unequivocal: Kogi must reject thuggery, political violence, intimidation and electoral disorder, while embracing peaceful, issue-based campaigns and a credible democratic process.