Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has vowed to deal decisively with criminal elements who may wish to cause any breach of peace and security in the state.
The spokesperson of the governor Ismaila Isah stated this in a statement in Lokoja, adding that Governor Ododo made the vow on Thursday at a ceremony to distribute protective gadgets to the 1,050 haunters recently recruited in the state.
The statement quoted Governor Ododo saying “As Kogites, we must protect ourselves. If we don’t do it, nobody will do it for us. Kogi State is not a free zone for criminals.
“Our faith in people-led security approach as a new strategy to combat crime is clear manifestation of our determination to recalibrate our security architecture.”
He said the Governor urged newly recruited hunters to exhibit high level of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
Ododo charged the hunters to remain professional by assisting other security agencies in combating crimes in the State, the spokesperson said.
The Kogi State Commissioner of Police Bertrand Onuoha said the local hunters and the provision of the protective items will assist conventional security agencies in the State to combat insecurity.
He directed Area Commanders in the state to make use of vigilantes and hunters in intelligence gathering.
In his remarks, the State Security Adviser, Commodore Jerry Omodara (Retired) applauded the state government for the community-based approach in fighting crime.
He said the recruitment of the hunters to provide local intelligence based on their understanding of the communities where they will be deployed to serve is a game changer in the war against crime and criminalities in the state.
The Kogi State House of Assembly approved the recruitment of 1,050 hunters with 50 hunters from each of the 21 local government areas on the 19th of June, 2024.
