Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State on Tuesday revealed that a large cache of arms and ammunition had been found in criminal hideouts after a joint security operation in the state.
Ododo listed the weapons recovered to 24 AK-47 rifles, 23 pump-action rifles, one Tavor rifle, one FN rifle, four Barrett pistols, four Browning rifles, 42 magazines, 520 rounds of GPMG 7.62 ammunition, and substantial quantities of AK-47 ammunition and cartridges for pump-action and Barrett pistols. Additional items included handcuffs, 13 holsters, tear gas cartridges, and submachine gun components.
Governor Ododo told journalists in Lokoja, that “the operation was the outcome of over a week of sustained, intelligence-driven surveillance by security agencies working in firm coordination with the state government.”
He said there were raids against suspected criminal elements after he met with President Bola Tinubu, who ordered him to step up security efforts rather than seek accolades.
Governor Ododo said “when I met Mr. President, I expected commendation, but he told me to go back and do more for my people. That statement re-energised me. We immediately regrouped, met with the security agencies, harmonised our strategies and acted decisively on credible intelligence.
“Security operatives executed a coordinated overnight operation that uncovered a major criminal enclave where a significant stockpile of weapons was concealed.”
However, no arrests were made from the raid, Ododo said but added that the recovery was “a major and strategic breakthrough in the fight against crime.”
According to the governor, the escalation of crimes to Kogi State was due to what he described to be its strategic geography, adding that the state shares boundaries with 10 states thus making it a critical corridor with multiple entry and exit routes.
“Kogi State is fully alert. The DSS, the police, the military, the navy, and all other security agencies are working relentlessly, day and night. We will never bow to criminals, and we will never negotiate with them,” the governor declared.
Ododo told residents in the state to actively support security agencies by providing timely, accurate and credible information, just as he assured the public of the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property.
He praised the cooperation of security agencies and expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his support.
“The success recorded was the direct result of a tightly coordinated joint operation by multiple security agencies acting on credible and actionable intelligence,” he said, adding that citizens should not panic and can go about their lawful businesses without fear.
