Ododo blames rising North Central violence on fleeing terrorists from military raids up north.
Kogi governor assures citizens of safety, says forces are acting swiftly to neutralize threats.
Kogi State Governor, Usman Ahmed Ododo, has attributed the escalating insecurity in North Central Nigeria to the relocation of terrorists fleeing intensified military operations in the North East and North West zones.
Speaking to reporters on Friday in Abuja after a meeting with the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Ododo explained that the Nigerian military’s sustained operations particularly airstrikes against insurgent groups in the far northern regions have led many fighters to escape into nearby areas, including Kogi and other North Central states.
“These criminal elements are not originally based in our state,” Ododo said. “What we are witnessing is the fallout of successful military campaigns elsewhere. As the heat turns up in the North East and North West, some of these terrorists are taking refuge in the forests of the North Central, including our own.”
He pointed out that the military has made significant progress in pushing back insurgents in Borno, Zamfara, Katsina, and parts of Kaduna through coordinated air and land offensives. However, as the pressure mounts, some of the fleeing elements have begun to settle in ungoverned spaces in central Nigeria, posing new threats to communities that were previously considered relatively safe.
In addressing the current security situation in Kogi, Governor Ododo stated that the government, in collaboration with security agencies, has been vigilant in identifying and neutralizing potential threats. He disclosed that many of the criminals responsible for recent incidents in the state had already been apprehended or eliminated.
“Our approach is not to publicize every move,” he said. “We are deliberate, strategic, and result-oriented. The reality is that many of those who attempted to create unrest in Kogi have met their end. Our forces are in the field, and we are taking action daily.”
Ododo reiterated that the safety of lives and property remains the top priority of his administration. He assured citizens that while the government may not always disclose every detail of its security strategy, significant efforts are underway behind the scenes to ensure peace and stability across all parts of the state.
He also stressed that the government is investing in surveillance technology, intelligence gathering, and strengthening partnerships with local communities to help detect and deter threats early.
“Kogi is under control,” he said confidently. “We are not overwhelmed. We are managing the situation and have put structures in place to ensure that residents can live and work in peace.”
Governor Ododo’s comments come amid heightened concerns over the spread of violence in the North Central, especially after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to Benue State earlier in the week to sympathize with victims of deadly attacks.
The federal government has been under pressure to address the growing insecurity in regions previously seen as buffer zones. Analysts believe that displaced insurgents, bandits, and other armed groups are increasingly shifting their operations into these zones as military pressure intensifies elsewhere.
Ododo’s remarks suggest that while the government in Kogi is aware of the threat, it is actively responding and taking preventive measures to prevent a full-blown crisis.
“Our people should remain calm. We will not allow these criminals to overrun our communities,” he said.
